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Latin Masterlist Index

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C
	Calicina citrina (Lemon Disco) Jan 12, 2024. In Salden Wood Bob Simpson noticed this colony of tiny yellow discs on a deciduous log and sent photo 1 to Penny for identification. She emailed him a copy of the microscopic details to check but suspected it would be this very common species, better known under its previous genus name Bisporella. A day later Claire Williams found what she thought was this same species in Downley Common (photo 2 - though not checked microscopically). Two days later Bob then collected further material (photo 3) which he checked and which matched microscopically, confirming the ID. NAME CHANGED from Bisporella citrina Sep 11, 2020. Sarah Ebdon found this colony of tiny cups on rotting fallen deciduous wood in Kings Wood, Tylers Green. Quite a common ascomycete, each cup is no more than 3 mm across but despite its size, because of its bright colour and habit of forming large closely-knit clusters it it often easy to spot from a distance.
	Calloria neglecta (Nettle Pox) Feb 1, 2022. This was the second of two small springtime Ascos on Nettle stems Penny found at Rushbeds Woods today. The photo is Claudi Soler's, taken near Bicester in April 2018 and showing a colony of bright orange tiny cups which are under 1mm across. This was a particularly nice example and often one finds just faint orange patches, with no cups visible, to show that the species was present. Both this species and Leptosphaeria acuta above are host specific to Nettle and occur commonly from now until April or so.
	Caloboletus radicans (Rooting Bolete) Sep 2, 2024. In Salden Wood under Oak Bob Simpson found three specimens of this unusual and substantial species, though we are in doubt as to whether it is C. radicans because we now know there is another very similar but much rarer species, C. kluzakii (no English name) which is tricky to tell apart without recourse to DNA sequencing. It was first recorded in the UK in 2020 and we already have one confirmed Bucks collection; it is possible that this might be the second as it does appear to have a slight red flush at the stem base which is apparently one of the differences. For now we'll list it as C. radicans and once sequenced we'll up date this entry. Aug 21, 2023. In a Bletchley industrial estate Justin Long was surprised to see a whopping great Bolete not far from Beech but almost underneath an old tank! It was somewhat past its best with the cap well crazed from its exposed position but he noted the yellow pores slowly blued when pressed and the obviously rooting pale stem had an equally pale network below the apex (photo 3). At home he noted also the bitter taste and the spore size, then keyed it out to this species which when young has a paler almost white cap. Sep 15, 2022. In Jordans village Jesper Launder found this substantial bolete and recognised it as of possible interest. The pale cap, solid flesh and yellow fine pores which quickly blue when pressed recalled Caloboletus radicans (previously in genus Boletus as are many of the following species below also found today). He knew, however, that recent DNA sequencing had revealed the presence of another extremely similar species, Caloboletus klusakii, and that a few collections from the national fungarium at RBG Kew named C. radicans had proven with sequencing to be this new species. The differences are yet to be firmed up but traces of pink in either cap or stem are likely to be pointers to separate C. klusakii from C. radicans. With this in mind we sent two samples (of photo 1 and photo 2, found the following day by Jesper in nearby Seer Green) for sequencing. The first unfortunately failed (not an uncommon occurrence) but the second from Seer Green was confirmed as C. klusakii together with a further sample from our walk at Ivinghoe Common last weekend (see Penny's report for more images) making the Ivinghoe Common collection the first record for Bucks and photo 2 here (and in all likelihood photo 1 as well) the second and third. Sep 6, 2021. In Wotton Park Estate Joanna Dodsworth found this singleton in grassy soil under Oak. Previously in the genus Boletus, it is a sizeable and solid species (sometimes up to 15 cms across or more) and a regular at this site early in the season. It has an ivory to pale cream cap with small yellow pores underneath which stain blue when bruised (seen in photo 2). The pale stem tends to root firmly into the ground, hence its Latin species and common names. Sep 5, 2020. Better known as Boletus radicans, this species is having a 'good year' and is widespread at the moment. It was found by Tony Marshall in Prestwood growing under an old hedge and occurs in both woodland and grassland either near deciduous trees or with Rock Rose. The pale ivory cap with firm flesh, yellow crowded pores which rapidly blue when pressed and the pointed stem base are all good characters.
	Calocera cornea (Small Stagshorn) Aug 4, 2023. On a sawn off Beech stump in Hodgemoor Woods Penny found this little cluster. The species favours bare deciduous wood and true to its name is the smallest of the Stagshorns with individual spikes also the thinnest and most pointed. Nov 27, 2022. At Turville Heath Penny found a small cluster of this bright yellow species of jelly fungus on a bare deciduous log. In some years we see the species much less frequently than the two other species - C. viscosa and C. pallidospathulata - but this autumn it has been much in evidence. It differs from the others in being small, less than 1 cm tall, unbranching and slightly spiky. Sep 20, 2022. On Gerrards Cross Common Jim Wills noticed these small orange slightly curved spikes on a bare hardwood trunk. There are several species of Stagshorn, all some shade of yellow-orange (though occasionally C. viscosa - found only on conifer - can be pure white) and today's species is much more spike-like, likened to a cow's horn rather than a stag, than other species. In some years it is seldom found but this year it seems to be quite common. On a bare fallen Beech trunk in the piece of woodland on the edge of Ragpits Nature Reserve Penny found a colony of tiny orange individual spikes which, being sharply pointed rather than flattened and spathulate (spoonshaped), were attributable in the field to this particular and quite common species of Calocera. The genus belongs with the Jelly Fungi and there are several other common species, all some shade of orange. Sep 24, 2020. Paul Goby found this attractive little species on a fallen Beech trunk at Naphill Common. Not at all rare but often overlooked or misnamed, it is classified as one of the 'Jelly' fungi and never exceeds 1cm in height. It occurs most frequently on Beech and has a gelatinous feel when fresh, as here, but dries out to a darker orange. The name cornea refers to its slight curved shape as in cows' horns.
	Calocera glossoides (a Stagshorn with no common name) May 9, 2023. At Turville Heath Penny found some fallen bare Oak with a liberal covering of this bright orange jelly fungus. C. glossoides is a Stagshorn we've rarely recorded in recent years owing to the fact that the very similar but paler C. pallidospathulata - until the last 20 years or so known as a conifer associate - is now known to occur on both deciduous and coniferous fallen wood, hence we tend to name collections which are clearly not narrow and spiky (these being C. cornea) as C. pallidospathulata whatever wood they are found on, possibly in error. Today's collection were suitably spathulate in shape but bright orange, hence Penny feels justified in eliminating both C. cornea and C. pallidospathulata here. An interesting comparison can be made by checking the two Finds collections of C. pallidospathulata dated 2020 October 3rd and 2022 November 29th which are clearly considerably paler than today's collection, also both were on Pine which eliminates today's species.
	Calocera pallidospathulata (Pale Stagshorn) Jul 19, 2023. In Hampden Common Sarah Ebdon noticed these strange looking jelly fungi on damp fallen conifer. Being familiar with other species of this genus she was confused by its obvious branching though in other respects it was similar to C. pallidospathulata which occurs commonly but not exclusively on conifer and is paler than other species. At home she read about C. furcata - a rare but widespread species on conifer and with 'clubs' which can be forked or even branching into three, but checking with a scope the microscopic details matched better with C. pallidospathulata as did its pale 'washed-out' appearance. So for now we are naming this collection C. cf pallidospathulata and hope that sequencing will shed some light on its true identity because it is certainly unusual to find the species in this form. See in Finds 2020 October 3rd and 2022 November 29th for more typical collections. Jul 5, 2023. On fallen bare Pine at Burnham Beeches Penny spotted a cluster of this jelly fungus and luckily was with Barry Webb who provided the photo. The species is commonest on conifer but not restricted to it - contrary to information in some handbooks; its paler colour and slightly flattened shape distinguish it from others in the genus, however. See also Finds 2020 October 03 and 2022 November 29. Two days later this collection was completely shrivelled and dark orange – almost unrecognisable, but in the cooler autumn it survives moist for much longer. Nov 29, 2022. On a bare fallen Pine branch at Stoke Common Penny found this common species which is fairly obviously paler than other Stagshorns and can be found on both deciduous and coniferous woods. However, there could well be confusion with C. glossoides (no common name) when on deciduous wood as both have somewhat flattened heads and tend to have an obvious thinner stem, but if bright yellow then you could well have C. glossoides - a species we rarely record, possibly mistakenly. Oct 3, 2020. This cluster was found on fallen bare conifer at Penn Wood by Penny Cullington. Clearly paler and much smaller than the bright yellow of C. viscosa, also found today, this species is only up to 1 cm tall and is slightly flattened and swollen 'spoon-shape' (see photo 2 in particular). It is common on fallen conifer but can also occur on rotting bare deciduous wood when possibly confusable with C. cornea (see photo dated Sept 24). The typical 'spathulate' shape and paler colour of today's species, however, should suffice to separate the two species.
	Calocera viscosa (Yellow Stagshorn) Jul 25, 2023. In Bernwood Forest this attractive jelly fungus was much in evidence on the many Spruce stumps, found by Penny. Though other Stagshorn species can be confusing, this one is the easiest to recognise (also the most like stags' horns) being taller, distinctly branched in the upper half and common on conifer stumps and logs. See also in Finds 2020 October 3rd and 2021 October 5th. Oct 5, 2021. At Turville Heath Penny noticed this vivid clump not near any trees but in a suspiciously bare patch of soil in a grassy area. The species grows on stumps or roots of conifer, so it seems likely that in the past a conifer had been removed from this spot but with roots remaining in the soil. It was firmly fixed to its woody substrate and also decidedly viscid after the recent rain. Oct 3, 2020. There were many examples of this species in Penn Wood growing on conifer - either stumps or fallen rotting trunks, found by Penny Cullington. Very common given the conifer host, this is a gelatinous genus and this particular species typically branches at the tips, the right hand specimen appearing very like stags' antlers. It is rubbery and tough, rooting deeply into the wood making it difficult to extricate, and can reach 8 cm in height.
	Calocybe carnea (Pink Domecap) Jul 13, 2021. In deep grass and vegetation at Coombe Hill Penny found a few of these pretty pink capped mushrooms. Not uncommon given its grassland habitat, the species is quite easy to recognise in the field, having a matching pink stem but contrasting white gills. They are usually quite small but can get to about 3 cms across. Oct 30, 2020. Penny C. found just two specimens of this quite common small grassland species at Coombe Hill on the escarpment. It tends to keep low in the grass and is easily overlooked but has a pretty pale pink cap (flesh-coloured as the Latin name suggests) and stem to match but turn it over and the white crowded gills show up well in contrast.
	Calocybe chrysenteron (a rare mushroom with no common name Oct 22, 2023. In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly found a whole load of these bright yellow caps in grassy litter under Hazel and sent photos 1 and 2 to Penny asking if these were perhaps Waxcaps passed their sell-by date. Penny was sceptical but was stuck for any other conclusion but the following day Chris let her know that Andy Overall (on a facebook page) had suggested the rare Calocybe chrysenteron as a possibility. More scepticism from Penny! This was a species she'd never seen and knew to be rare. There was only one way to resolve this: to microscopically examine the material. So Chris collected more specimens (photos 3 and 4) and met Penny two days later, who on seeing it straight away realised it was no Waxcap and could well be the suggested species. A sporeprint overnight produced the correct white print and suitably tiny smooth ellipsoid spores thus confirming Overall's suggestion. Derek had once found this species in Pulpit Hill under Beech back in 1997 but it had never appeared there since on any of our visits so this was our only previous county record. There are very few national records and the species has at some stage been included in the Red Data list though there seems confusion as to whether the genus name should be Calocybe or Rugosomyces. This was an exciting find and the material will be sequenced and then sent to RBG Kew.
	Calocybe gambosa (St. George's Mushroom) Mar 18, 2024. In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found a nice fresh collection of this springtime species with its typical chunky pale cap with slightly inrolled edge, thick stem and equally pale gills. One whiff of its strong farinaceous smell (mealy / of rancid flour) is all the confirmation one needs: this is pretty well the only mushroom answering to this description found at this time, so an easy one to identify. Named after its regular appearance on or around St. George's Day (April 23rd), it is common in grassy verges from April to May (or even June) and our earliest record is for March 2nd though we have almost no other March records besides today's. Apr 24, 2023 True to form, this species was fruiting magnificently at Rushbeds Wood today - found by Penny just one day after St. George's Day! On our BFG visit here a few weeks ago it was only at the button stage but the caps today were up to 8-9 cms across and once a few were disturbed to arrange the photo there was a strong mealy smell in the air. Though some species recently have been a bit of a surprise to find fruiting now, this is one which can virtually always be relied on at this time - it is certainly well named. April 1, 2023 In Jordans village Jesper Launder found an early fruiting of this distinctive springtime species which regularly appears around St. George's Day though is often earlier (as here) and also often later, even well into May. It likes grassy verges and is one of the easiest to recognise, being the only sizeable white-capped and white gilled mushroom to fruit at this time. For confirmation, one sniff at the underside will reveal its strong mealy smell. Photo 2 came from Stampwell Farm a day later, sent in by Jackie Ewan, and we also found very small buttons of it just emerging at Rushbeds Wood on our walk there on the same day. (See my report for more.) Apr 7, 2022. In a sheep paddock at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan was surprised to see this cluster of mushrooms emerging so early in April. St. George's Day being April 23rd, this is indeed early for it to appear, especially as last year our only siting of it was on May18th! (See Finds 2021.) This is a fairly easy species to identify, being the only chunky pale 'Tricholomatoid' mushroom to appear in late April, often in grassy glades. It also has a very distinctive mealy smell and often comes up consistently near to April 23rd, hence its common name. As this was so early Jackie took the trouble to check the spore size just in case, but the collection looks spot on leaving no doubt. May 18, 2021. At last! Where has this common springtime species been hiding recently? It usually appears very promptly on or just before St. George's Day (which was nearly a month ago now) but Penny had not received any sitings till she found this large clump in grassy soil under Lime at Turville Heath today. This is an easy mushroom to recognise because there's nothing else similar likely to fruit at this time: It looks like one of the several large white autumn Tricholoma species (and in fact resided in Tricholoma at one time) but unlike those species has a very pronounced 'meally' smell. Considered a good edible by some, it should be eaten with caution and can cause heart palpitations so probably best avoided.
	Calocybe ionides (a Domecap with no common name) Sep 23, 2022. In Jordans village on a woodland edge, Jesper Launder spotted this very unusual yet distinctive species. Known to favour deciduous woodland on calcareous soil, its white gills contrasting strongly with the lilac cap and stem, together with the strong mealy smell, make it recognisable in the field. We have only three previous records and this is a first for members' Finds.
	Calomyxa metallica (an unusual slime mould with no English name) Mar 24, 2024. Whilst on our BFG walk at Rushbeds Wood Barry Webb collected a slime mould unfamiliar to him and was unable to identify it later. He hung on to it and a few weeks later investigated it a bit further, putting his photos on to the slime mould facebook page for help. Back came the name from both John Holden and Edvin Johannesen (both recognised specialists) and comparing other images online etc this ID looks extremely likely. Not a rarity with over 100 FRDBI entries, it is however new to the county.
	Calvatia gigantea (Giant Puffball) Oct 12, 2023. In a grassy ride in Salden Wood Bob Simpson found this wow-factor species, still relatively small at 15 cm across but hopefully Bob will send in more photos as it expands if the slugs don't get it first! This is a grassland species and more often fruits in mid-to-late summer but we do have records for October and even November. So often it gets damaged / kicked over long before it reaches its full potential which can be as much as 2 ft across - an amazing site. As Bob owns this woodland we are hopeful this specimen will not suffer that fate. Nov 11, 2022. Whilst walking in Halton Woods Paul Goby spotted this 'lump of polystyrene' over the fence and persuaded his daughter to clamber over and investigate! The mushroomy smell, white skin and context, also the spongy texture left little doubt that this was a Giant Puffball, about 30 cm across - the dog in his photo giving an idea of scale. Usually fruiting early in the season and in grassy places rather than woodland litter, this was an interesting find possibly reflecting the rather odd autumn fungal season so far this year. The species is by far the largest puffball, reaching anything up to twice this size if left to its own devices though the boots of small boys tend to find it irresistible! Jul 22, 2021. In a grassy part of the Wotton Park Estate Joanna Dodsworth saw what she thought was a large plastic bag in longish grass (photo 1) but as she got closer she realised what it must be! Previously in the genus Handkea, also Langermannia, this is indeed a giant amongst fungi and can get to half a meter across (if left unmolested by nibbling animals or kicking humans!). It fruits in open areas, farmland in summer, sometimes in large numbers and Joanna's car keys give an idea of size, so although probably a good 20 cms across this specimen still has some growing to do though it's clear some animal has been munching at it already. This species is well worth looking out for now.
	Calyptella capula (Bowl Hoodie) Nov 24, 2022. At Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this unusual species which at first glance looks like a tiny stalked Ascomycete, perhaps Hymenoscyphus, but is in fact a Bsidiomycete. It grows on decomposing stems of vegetation and here was on old nettle stems, and we have several sites where it's been recorded though only one in recent years when Derek found it at Ivinghoe Common this September. This is a new entry for Finds.
	Candolleomyces candolleanus (Pale Brittlestem) Jun 5, 2024. This was the only fungus found by Penny at Rushbeds Wood, lurking in woody undergrowth beside a path. Previously in genus Psathyrella, it is often one of the first common autumn fungi to appear so no surprise that it should be fruiting now. Brittlestems have dark spores which do not colour the gills until mature - as seen here - and nearly always need confirmation with a scope though this particular species has not only a very pale cap throughout life but also has bits of straggly veil attached to the cap edge especially when young, also just visible here. In Kibby vol 3 there's mention of a very similar but rare species which has a ring on the stem - worth keeping an eye out for ............... Jul 9, 2023. At Rushbeds Wood, now nicely damp, Penny found several groups of this common Brittlegill, previously in genus Psathyrella, growing in muddy grassy path edges. Photo 2 shows the palish gills just beginning to darken as the dark brown spores mature to colour them, and photo 3 shows its most useful field character well: the frilly veil remnants around the cap margin. See the Masterlist for other examples.
	Cantharellula umbonata (The Humpback) Oct 27, 2021. This was one of Penny's target species when she visited Stoke Common, but a search in the area where it had previously been found proved fruitless. However, later on in an open mossy patch she struck lucky! This is an uncommon species of acid heathland, Stoke Common being our only county site with just three previous records in the last 25 years. Similar to a small Clitocybe (Funnel) it has decurrent cream gills but they fork several times before reaching the margin (see photo 2), the distinctly grey cap develops a sunken darker centre but with a slight bump in the middle. Why not in Clitocybe? It has amyloid and not hyaline spores (ie they turn blue in Iodine).
	Cantharellus cibarius (Chanterelle) Aug 4, 2023. On a mossy bank under Birch in Hodgemoor Woods this species was just emerging. Though still pretty tiny the intense apricot colour left one in little doubt what they were, and- just being revealed as the cap expands (this was the largest specimen available). Jul 13, 2023. At Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found an early fruiting of this attractive and charismatic mushroom in woody litter under mixed trees. No doubt Scottish woodlands are bursting with fruitbodies at the moment but the species is never plentiful down south though this is one of the best sites in the county to see them. Please note: though considered one of the best edibles, picking them - or indeed any fungi - at Burnham Beeches is illegal and punishable by law! May 27, 2022. At Stoke Common Penny was somewhat surprised to find these tiny specks just trying to emerge in a mossy glade under Oak, the site being incredibly dry and pretty well devoid of fungi. Turning over the largest of them (only 1 cm across) confirmed its identity and a check at home revealed just two other previous collections from this site, and amongst our numerous records for the county were a handful from June (the earliest June 4th from Hodgemoor Woods) but none for May! Surprisingly this is our first image of the species on Finds - pity it's not very useful as identification! Jul 28, 2021. Near the Mire in Burnham Beeches Bob Simpson spotted a patch of these brightly coloured mushrooms in soil under mixed deciduous trees. (The photo is Barry Webb's but with Penny's camera!) Often an early season fruiter but never that common in the south of the country, it grows abundantly in Scotland. The beautiful apricot slightly felty caps with shallow decurrent thickish folds (hardly gills) underneath separate it from other lookalikes. Compare also with the similar C. ferruginascens (dated July 11th) which develops dark rusty stains where damaged.
	Cantharellus ferruginascens (Pale Chanterelle) Aug 4, 2023. Under Hornbeam in Hodgemoor Woods Penny noticed these rather dull capped Chanterelles compared to the patch of this species she'd just found earlier (see the entry just below). She promptly scratched the stem of one and put them in a pot to check later, thinking it might well develop the dark rusty staining of this species. Sure enough this proved to be the case (see photo 2 taken on returning home and showing the edges of her scratch now rusty). Though described as rare, this may not be so because the species appears to be quite variable in cap colour, often much paler though here much more dull ochre, and the rusty staining would only become apparent if one knew to test for it. A sample will be sent for sequencing. Jul 11, 2021. In Captains Wood nr Chesham under Beech Greg Douglas noticed these somewhat pale Chanterelles and at first assumed they were just C. cibarius - the commonest species of the genus though never prolific in this area of the country. However, it soon became obvious that they were staining rusty brown where handled or damaged so he wondered if they could be this much less frequently encountered and closely related species. He brought them along to our AGM that afternoon where Penny and Derek agreed on his determination. The species is previously known only from Burnham Beeches and Hodgemoor Woods but may well be more common than we realise - certainly one to be looking out for now when many early season species seem to be making an appearance.
	Cantharellus pallens (Frosted Chanterelle) Jun 1, 2024. In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder continues to find interesting and rare species, this one his latest under Oak. There are in fact 7 different species looking very similar to our familiar C. cibarius (Chanterelle), all of which have remarkably similar micro-features, therefore making careful field observations becomes critical in their ID. Today's species is clearly one of the palest, more buff-pinkish than apricot and having a whitish pruinose 'bloom' on the cap surface, furthermore it bruises slowly brassy rust where damaged - as does the similar C. ferruginascens which, however, is more conventionally pale apricot in colour. This is new to the county with only 17 FRDBI records and a sample will be sequenced to confirm as there is some overlap of characters known, making ID somewhat tricky.
	Cantharellus tubaeformis (Trumpet Chanterelle) Oct 26, 2023. In Bernwood Forest Penny first came across this species just emerging under Oak (photo 1), but further on under Spruce it was coming up in droves (photo 2) and eventually some mature examples were encountered (photo 3). Another common name for the species was Winter Chanterelle referring to its often late appearance in the season, however it was surprisingly one of many autumn species to be found here as early as July this year. Jul 16, 2023. In Bernwood Forest in mixed litter, Jesper launder was surprised to find this late season species just emerging. Also known as Winter Chanterelle for obvious reasons, it is considerably smaller than the true Chanterelle (see July 13th for comparison), lacks the bright apricot cap of that species and - though not visible here in these immature examples - the gills are grey in contrast to its yellowish long stem. Nov 20, 2022. At Burnham Beeches our small group found several collections of this late season fruiter (other common names are Winter Chanterelle, also Yellowlegs) which is an easy one to recognise. The very shallow decurrent greyish folds under the cap - hardly gills - together with the hollow yellow stems - often flattened as here - are quite distinctive. It occurs commonly in deciduous litter but blends in with its surroundings very well. Once you spot one and get your eye in it's always worth a good look for more. (The photos here are Stephen Plummer's.) Oct 16, 2020. Alison Peace found this collection growing amongst bracken and litter under mixed deciduous trees in Burnham Beeches (photo Penny C.). Our first Chanterelle, this species is considered a late season fruiter (another name for it is Winter Chanterelle) and is much flimsier and thinner fleshed that a true Chanterelle. The yellow stem is hollow and the gills are typical of the genus being more like shallow folds and often seem to fork near the edge of the cap. Photo 2 was taken by Barry Webb at Burnham Beeches just four days earlier.
	Catinella olivacea (Olive Salver) Aug 11, 2021. In Penn Wood on bare wet rotting wood Barry Webb spotted these beautiful and distinctive little discs, the largest under 1 mm across. This is an easy one to name in the field if you happen to know it because the dark olive green colour is so unusual in a disc (or any other fungus!). It is not at all common, this being our 5th county record and the 4th site, the last find in 2003.
	Cephalotrichum purpureofuscum (a rare hyphomycete with no English name) Mar 12, 2024. In Rushmere Country Park Stephen Plummer (now a Greensand Trust volunteer) collected a Rhododendron leaf with a fungal infection he didn't recognise and took it home to work on. Hours later he'd solved the mystery by matching the microscopic details with available literature and photos online. This is a rarely recorded fungus (though not purely restricted to this host) with just 17 previous national records and is not surprisingly new to the county. In photo 2 the simply miniscule tall spike with whitish head is the fungus.
	Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (Coral Slime) Mar 13, 2024. The previous day a small group of us found a few fungi at Burnham Beeches, one being this Slime Mould to which Barry Webb returned today to check its identity and take his photo. This is a good example of the mature stage of the genus Arcyria (when not slimy at all!) showing in the background the fine mesh of fluffy 'elaters' which form the protective framework containing the spores which here have almost entirely blown away. Note also the now empty cups - all that is left of the entire sporangia (fruiting body) once the rest has blown away. Jul 13, 2023. On a damp log pile in Naphill Common Sarah Ebdon spotted various different slime moulds, the most photogenic and also nameable being this one - many are unnameable until fully mature and few have common names. This stunningly beautiful species is very common on both deciduous and coniferous fallen wood / stumps when suitably damp though is often missed and one needs a x10 lens to see the detail in the field owing to its tiny size. Jul 12, 2021. In Downley Wood Claire Williams found this pretty and quite common Slime Mould on rotting wood. It favours old conifer stumps but also occurs on other woods which are suitably damp and decaying. See more photos of this amongst Barry Webb's Slime Mould photos. May 31, 2021. Barry Webb took these beautiful photos of this tiny but quite common Slime Mould on a damp Pine stump in Burnham Beeches. The individual delicate watery white branches are usually less than 5mm high and a handlens is needed to appreciate their beauty. It can form quite large clusters up to 10 cm across, most commonly on conifer stumps but sometimes on other woods. Nov 6, 2020. Though we have photos of this species dated Oct 18, it is much in evidence again at the moment and worth looking out for particularly on rotting woody conifer stumps or remains. Claire Williams found this beautiful delicate cluster of tiny white tendrils in Penn Wood. Oct 18, 2020. Justin Warhurst found this tiny and very pretty Myxomycete (Slime Mould) on rotting wood in Penn Wood. Quite a common species often to be seen in colonies on bare conifer stumps, it can be found on other fallen wood if sufficiently damp. Each fingerlike tendril is less than 5 mm high and photo 2 is of a more more developed colony. Slime Moulds are now known to belong to a Kingdom of their own but share some features with fungi and therefore are usually treated as honorary fungi, being recorded by mycologists.
	Cerioporus squamosus (Dryad's Saddle) Apr 28, 2023. In Lowndes Park, Chesham, Sarah Ebdon saw this beautiful display at the base of a deciduous tree and just had to take these images! Better known under its previous genus name Polyporus, this is by far our largest Polypore and though immature and only about 15 cms across here, each 'saddle' can reach 2ft across or more - certainly big enough to sit on! It favours Ash but is not uncommon on other deciduous trees and is commonly found on the ground having fallen from its original fruiting place in the tree canopy. Jul 15, 2022. Adjacent to an old Ash stump in Salden Wood, Bob Simpson found this enormous Polypore which, from the ruler in his photo, looks to be about 25 cms across, so big enough to sit on! Previously known and familiar to many as Polyporus squamosus, here is another new name we need to get used to but at least the common name stays unchanged. Photo 2 was found a week later by Joanna Dodsworth at Wotton Park Estate. May 16, 2022. At Dancersend (where a few of us were taking part in some survey work for BBOWT) conditions were very dry and generally unproductive, so it was a nice treat to come across this large and pristine specimen of a very common but beautiful polypore on an Ash trunk. Here we have yet another recent genus name change to contend with - from Polyporus to Cerioporus. In fact it appears that of our common polypores only P. tuberaster remains in that genus! What was P. varius = leptocephalus is now also moved to Cerioporus; what was P. badius = durus is now moved to Picipes; what were P. brumalis and P. ciliatus are now moved to Lentinus. (Photo 3, taken by Mick Jones, gives an idea of scale as well as being a nice group photo!)
	Ceriporia purpurea and Trichia decipiens (a corticioid and a slime mould, neither with common names) Feb 11, 2022. On rotting deciduous wood near Brill Joanna Dodsworth noticed this distinctive resupinate (flat) patch which had an unusual purplish pink colour. At home she was able to identify it from images and also from testing with a drop of KOH which turns the pores red-purple. This is quite a rare species and we have just two previous records (one of which was Joanna's from Brill 10 years ago!). Alongside on the same fallen branch were the bright orange blobs of Trichia decipiens (seen in photo 2), a common slime mould but one of the few recognisable at an immature stage from its distinctive shiny blobs and little white stalks.
	Ceriporia reticulata (a Corticioid with no common name) Apr 5, 2023 On the underside of several pieces of fallen deciduous wood Penny found this quite common species. At first glance it looks like many other white corticioids (photo 1) but with a handlens it is quite distinctively marked with a labyrinthine poroid surface making it fairly safely recognisable in the field (photos 2 and 3). It tends to occur fresh in late Spring - early Summer. Jun 30, 2021. On a damp rotting Ash stick in Turville Heath Penny noticed this white patch which with a handlens looked distinctively poroid and also fresh enough to make a determination on the cards - corticioids not being her strong suit. It obligingly dropped a good sporeprint and the spore shape together with other microscopic features, also its very thin soft texture and general appearance, led to the name. Described as common and occurring on the wood of many deciduous trees, we have just four previous records from three sites in the county.
	Ceriporiopsis gilvescens (Pink Porecrust) Jan 31, 2022. On a Beech stump near Jordans village Jesper Launder found this interesting patch of distinctive and strongly poroid fungus which he didn't recognise, so took some home to work on. He struggled to find a satisfactory answer and though his photos were then sent to Penny, Derek and also expert Alan Lucas, nothing definite was forthcoming. However, eventually a sporeprint and other microscopic details noted by Jesper clearly matched those for this species despite the fact that illustrations in various books showed a fully resupinate species rather than one forming the tiers of deep pores seen here. However, he then found several examples of images online which match well, furthermore the typical pink coloration can clearly be seen developing here. We have a good handful of county records but this is particularly interesting example.
	Cerioporus leptocephalus (Blackfoot Polypore) Aug 21, 2023. In Naphill Common Penny noticed this rather nibbled smooth brown cap - about 8 cm across - fruiting on a fallen Beech branch and turning it over was not surprised to see pale small pores (also well nibbled) and a black base to the stem where affixed to the wood. Much better known under the genus name Polyporus this is probably our commonest polypore and one of the easiest to name owing to its distinctive black stem base (see photo 2 though some of the rotten branch came away attached to the stem which makes the black base a bit harder to see). See also in Finds 2020 December 7th and 2021 August 19th.
	Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma (Black Velvet) Feb 6, 2024. In Hughenden Wood Sarah Ebdon noticed this black fuzzy flat patch on fallen deciduous wood, suspected she recognised it and took it home to confirm with the microscopic features. The English name here is hopefully about to be adopted onto the official list and describes one state of the species well though when mature it develops tiny bobbles (shown well in our only previous Finds entry). This is a common species, often overlooked and can be found at any time of year. (Photo 2 is Claire Williams's) May 9, 2023. At Turville Heath under the avenue of Limes Penny noticed a stick amongst the Celandine with a conspicuous velvety patch. Though it has no common name (Black Velvet would suit it well) it is quite a common species forming a flat densely finely hairy surface which later develops tiny black bobbles which burst open (like the top of a boiled egg) to release the spores. Photo 3 (by Barry Webb) is of a mature example from Stoke Common, May 20th, showing the bobbles to perfection. This is a first for Finds.
	Chalciporus piperatus (Peppery Bolete) Oct 13, 2024. This is a species Penny has been on the lookout for but not found yet this season. Here it was found at Oakley Wood, Bernwood Forest, by Phil Townsend under Birch and near to Amanita muscaria with which it appears to have a close relationship. However, both species are often found fruiting without their partner but maybe the link is ever present via their mycelium therefore hidden from sight?! Oct 6, 2021. In Kings Wood Tylers Green the only Bolete seen by Penny was this one - an occasional species which is new to the site. The tan brown cap is rather soft, as are the widely spaced pores which are a coppery colour and unchanging when pressed, and the stem is quite narrow for a Bolete with notably yellow flesh at its base. It was growing in deep moss under Beech but is most commonly found under Birch where often in association with Amanita muscaria. If you find the Amanita, have a look around for this species which may well be nearby.
	Chamaemyces fraxidus (Dewdrop Dapperling) Aug 12, 2023. In thickish grass near Pine at Turville Heath Penny spotted a cluster of unfamiliar mushrooms which were bit sticky, had a strange sweetish smell and free cream coloured gills. At a complete loss to start with, she also noticed the stem was finely scaly in the lower section and this began to ring a bell but it was not until she found small ellipsoid spores and prominent cystidia on the gill face and edge that she worked out what it was. She recalled spending many hours puzzling over the species with Derek in the Forest of Dean years ago and eventually cracking it! The species is loosely related to Lepiota (also with free pale gills) but somewhat uncommon and - though unhelpfully not apparent today - has drops of moisture on the stem (hence its common name) and often the delineation between the top white and the lower brownish scaly parts of the stem is much more marked than is visible here. We have only one previous county record: from Rushmere Estate last year though no image.
	Cheilymenia fimicola ( (an Ascomycete with no common name) Nov 7, 2020. Penny C. noticed these bright orange little discs on a cowpat in Stoke Common. There are quite a few similar small discomycetes which inhabit dung so a scope is nearly always needed for identification. This species is not unlike a Scutellinia (Eyelash) and has fine brown hairs around the perimeter, visible in photo 2. They are, however, far less densely packed and paler than in Scutellinia which in any case does not occur on dung. Spore size, also the length of the spore casing (the ascus) and the length and shape of the hairs were diagnostic for this particular species.
	Cheilymenia granulata (an ascomycete with no English name) Nov 15, 2024. On many of the cowpats at Coombe Hill Penny saw these patches of tiny bright orange-red cup fungi. A scope at home revealed the large smooth cylindrical spores of this species, also the absence of septate pointed hairs around the margin which are present in other similar species found in dung. C. granulata is very common and was previously and better known in genus Coprobia which now appears to be obsolete genus name. Name changed from Coprobia granulata Nov 30, 2020. On a cowpat in the Mire at Burnham Beeches Penny C. found this swarm of little orange discs, each less than 5 mm across and lacking a stem or any hairs around the edge. Checking the microscopic characters at home confirmed this as a very common dung species, recently moved into the genus Cheilymenia.
	Chlorociboria aeruginascens (Green Elfcup) Mar 15, 2023. At Burnham Beeches Claire Williams noticed this colourful species on damp fallen deciduous wood, so another Elfcup to go with her previous Scarlet species though the two are not related in any way and belong to different genera. Today's species is far smaller despite her close-up photo here which makes it appear possibly similar in size. Photo 2 gives an impression of perspective and was taken by Bob Simpson at his Salden Wood three days later. Oct 5, 2022. On Gerrards Cross Common Jim Wills spotted some fallen bare deciduous wood with patches of blue green staining - a sure sign of the presence of this fungus within the wood even if the delectable fruit bodies are not showing. We've checked several such bits of wood recently with no success, but Jim struck lucky, as can be seen! Turning the log over revealed these tiny little beauties which were no more than 2mm across. Jan 3, 2022. On a felled deciduous trunk in Brill Common Joanna Dodsworth found this large colony of cups. What is unusual about this find is not just that it's so late in the season but also that the species is commonly found on twigs and smallish fallen deciduous branches, not sawn off ends of large trunks as here! Feb 5, 2021. In Little Stockings Wood near North Dean Sarah Ebdon founds this bright green piece of rotting bare deciduous wood. She instantly picked it up to search for the telltale tiny green cups of the fungus which is responsible for this remarkable green staining. Sadly there were no fruitbodies to be seen today but in Finds 2020 dated Oct 12 there is an impressive example. (Read the notes there for more information about the use of this wood.) So if you find wood displaying this colour it's well worth taking a closer look to see the beautiful little turquoise green cups which are often less than 5mm across. Oct 12, 2020. This stunning collection of cups was found by Audrey McDade in Hodgemoor Woods on a rotting deciduous stick. This is quite a common Ascomycete but always a delight to find, each cup being less than 5 mm across. Once the cups have disintegrated having spread their spores, this same turquoise green colour can be seen colouring the wood thought its mycelium within, and it is this coloured wood which provided the green inlay used in antique furniture called Tunbridgeware.
	Chloroencoelia versiformis (an extremely rare cup fungus with no English name) Oct 25, 2024. In Stockfield Wood near Stokenchurch Jackie Newcombe noticed these olive green cup fungi on a rotting Ash trunk, the largest being about 2cm across. She struggled to find anything remotely like it in what books she had to hand but did find some images online which looked remarkably similar, though on discovering how rare the species was she doubted herself. On receiving her photos Penny, having never heard of this species, was equally dubious until finding further information both online and in Fungi of Temperate Europe (vol 2 p 1412). Despite the fact that this collection has not yet been checked microscopically she has no doubt from Jackie's images in in fact correct. The species has been included in provisional Red lists and has few UK records though has in recent years apparently been occurring in Sussex usually on rotten Ash as here. Maybe therefore it will become more common with the demise of Ash through Dieback disease. This was a significant find and is new to the county. Congratulations to Jackie for both finding and identifying it. The collection will be dried and sequenced.
	Chlorophyllum brunneum (Brown Parasol) May 3, 2024. In a roadside verge near Hedgerley Jesper Launder spotted these young mushrooms in conifer litter. He recognised the species from its distinct brown scales - large even at this immature stage - which contrast with the white flesh beneath, also the signs of brown on the underside of the stem ring and the beginnings of it bruising orange where he handled the stem whilst turning one over. We have only two previous county records though no doubt many collections have been misidentified in the past as the very common and very similar C. rhacodes. See further comments in our two previous entries Nov 26, 2022. In Hunts Wood near Taplow Russell Ness found just a singleton of this species - one which is very similar in appearance and characteristics to the more familiar C. rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol), but differs in having more contrast between the brown scales and white flesh, also brown flecks on the underside of the ring and a distinct marginate bulb. Unlike the commoner species it favours conifer debris as here. Oct 19, 2021. In Chalfont Dean under Pine Jesper Launder found this attractive and quite unusual Parasol, closely related to the much more common C. rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol). Both species share the common feature of flesh turning orange when exposed to air (thus separating them from the Macrolepiota Parasols) - just visible here where Jesper has handled them on the stem to arrange the photo. Features to separate the two species: today's doesn't get as large as C. rhacodes, has a much more abrupt stem bulb, the ring is thinner (the underside is often brown though not here) and the cap markings are more akin to Macrolepiota konradii (see dated Oct 12) ie brown scales contrasting with white background.
	Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol) Sep 7, 2024. Near Chalfont St Peter Jesper Launder spotted this Parasol just visible above the vegetation in a roadside verge. The white stem with lack of any brown snakeskin markings confirmed it as this species rather than the true Parasol - compare with the Parasol entry two days earlier. Jul 30, 2023. In the Lime avenue at Turville Heath Penny found this species just starting to fruit. The lack of snakeskin markingsin the stem with instant orange staining where scratched soon confirmed this was not Macrolepiota procera - the true Parasol. Oct 6, 2022. Though we have quite a few Finds entries for this species, the collection under the Limes at Turville Heath found by Penny was in good condition, showed different staged of its development, and the diagnostic orange staining when exposing the flesh to the air was very distinct. Hence its inclusion here. Sep 25, 2022. In Austenwood Common nr Chalfont St. Peter Jim Wills found this Parasol and knew to watch for the telltale orange staining where damaged - seen on the stem here - to confirm that it was not the very similar Macrolepiota procera (Parasol). Both species are very common and often striking in appearance and though we've been seeing the Parasol quite a bit in recent weeks, it appears that this Shaggy Parasol has only just started fruiting. See the Masterlist for images of both these species for comparison. Nov 17, 2021. At Pullingshill Wood this tall species was big enough to catch Penny's eye above the thick Beech litter, and surprisingly is one not yet included in Finds Jul-Dec. Having recently been told how ill eating a small amount of this mushroom had made an inexperienced collector who mistook it for the true Parasol, Penny felt it well worth pointing out the salient features to help recognise it. Note the white stem (with no brown snakeskin markings) which has already stained orange where Penny scratched it (photo 1). Note also the orange staining in the broken cap flesh - this starts to develop in just a few seconds when fresh as here (photo 3). You have been warned! Oct 26, 2020. We already have images of immature specimens of this species (dated Oct 16) but Paul and Penny C. found some with more mature caps in Mousells Wood which show the typical brown scales on a paler background. The three caps here also show how the scales are gradually formed from the initial smooth brown surface as the cap expands. The largest one here was about 15 cms across but caps can get much bigger than this. Note the diagnostic orange staining on the young stem where we scratched it. (Note also that the largest cap - exactly as found - is being supported by a stick which is not its stem!) Oct 16, 2020. Paul Cullington found this young collection in deciduous litter in Burnham Beeches (photo Penny C.) This common species is often confused with Macrolepiota procera (Parasol) unless you know what features to look for, then separating them becomes relatively easy. Scratch the stem (which is smooth and lacks the snakeskin brown markings found in the Parasol) and if fresh - as today's collection was - it will quickly (in a matter of seconds) turn orange. This colour change also happens if you break the cap flesh as can be seen here. (For an example of a more mature collection see under Oct 26th.) Sep 2, 2020. This complete ring of Parasols was found on the Walks at Brill Common by Joanna Dodsworth. To separate this common species from the very similar Macrolepiota procera (Parasol) scratch the stem or break the cap flesh and watch for the orange flush which occurs in a few seconds especially in fresh specimens but is absent from M. procera.
	Chondrostereum purpureum (Silverleaf Fungus) Mar 9, 2023. On a deciduous stump at Turville Heath Penny found a fresh patch of this bracket fungus just developing though it was not until turning a sample over (photo 2) that the telltale violet/mauve colour made it obviously this species rather than maybe a species of Stereum or Trametes. (The green parts visible in the photo were some sort of algi.) Sep 13, 2022. Continuing on from the bracket above, this collection from Burnham Beeches shows just how similar these bracket species can look unless one checks underneath. This very fresh material was zoned very like the Turkeytails above, but the smooth to wrinkly undersurface was just beginning to develop its telltale lilac / violet hue (photo 2). It occurs on many different deciduous trees, its common name reflecting the disease the fungus causes in many fruit trees. Nov 7, 2020. Though we have photos of this species from the previous day in Burnham Beeches it was of undeveloped specimens, so as it turned up today at Stoke Common - again on a Birch stump - Penny C. thought it would be useful to include adjacent to the similar Trichaptum abietinum for comparison. Note on photo 2 the smooth violet underside here compared to the clearly pored violet underside of the Trichaptum in photo 2 for that species. Nov 6, 2020. Penny C. found this common small bracket just beginning to develop of fallen Birch in Burnham Beeches. Photo 1 shows it still flat but just beginning to form brackets quite similar to Stereum hirsutum (i.e. with a hairy upper surface and slightly zoned). Photo 2 shows further developed brackets, the central piece upturned to show the diagnostic dark violet smooth underside. This is a species of fallen deciduous wood. If you find similarly coloured small brackets on fallen conifer you probably have Trichaptum abietinum (Purplepore Bracket)!
	Chromocyphella muscicola (Moss Ear) Dec 30, 2022. Amongst the moss on various trunks in Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found several colonies of these tiny 'ears' , only 3mm across at most - not often recorded and with just one previous county record from Rushbeds Wood in 2001 (therefore new to the site today). This is a Basidiomycete, a genus of about 5 species all associating with moss.
	Clathrus archeri (Devil's Fingers) Oct 4, 2024. At Stampwell Farm Jackie has recently noticed countless numbers of the gelatinous 'eggs' of this extraordinary species, related to stinkhorns, and at last found one actually emerged! No longer a rarity in the county, it is another fungus apparently on the increase though with a limited number of sites where it does seem to recur once established. Certainly Stampwell Farm is a hotspot! Oct 28, 2023. We have recent evidence of this extraordinary fungus starting to fruit at Stampwell Farm but now Sarah Ebdon reports it from Naphill at a site where it's been know to appear in recent years. The long grass present here made it tricky to assess whether there is more on the way as the 'eggs' would have been hiding well below grass level. Oct 13, 2023. If you check back to September 27th there you'll find the early egg stage of this bizarre fungus just emerging at Stampwell Farm. Jackie Ewan now reports it having fully developed though these are not the most impressive examples but none-the-less impressive! We hope to see this species when we visit on October 21st, still considered quite a rarity but apparently on the increase. See the Masterlist for a good range of entries. Sep 27, 2023. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed the first signs of this extraordinary fungus. Related to the Stinkhorns, it at first shows as a gelatinous egg and several of these were in evidence in a grassy area, one of which had been eaten by something and was showing the deep red tentacles within (photo 2). The species was found for the first time in this part of the county in 2019 and has appeared regularly at Stampwell Farm since 2020. We'll hope to add more photos as it develops. Jun 20, 2022. This bizarre and unmistakable species is already making an appearance at Stampwell Farm, sent in by Jackie Ewan (though past its best when she discovered it). It was under bracken in the sheep paddock where she first found it here back in October 2020. This is our earliest record though it was new to the county when found in Naphill in 2020. Oct 21, 2021. Chris Miller noticed today that this strange fungus related to the Stinkhorns is up and fruiting again in a field in Naphill (photo 1). New to the county when found here two years ago, we now have two other known sites and it seems to be on the increase. Then a day later came a report from Jackie Ewan who'd found it at Stampwell Farm (photo 2) where it's been seen for the last couple of years also. Oct 1, 2020. This remarkable and unique fungus was new to the county last year in the same Naphill location as today's find made by Claire Williams. Rare in Britain, it is clearly related to the Stinkhorns, emerging from a similar gelatinous egg which can be up to 3 cm in diameter and having a pervasive unpleasant smell which attracts insects. Identification is not difficult! If you're interested, find out more at www.first-nature.com/fungi/clathrus-archeri.php Sarah Ebdon sent in two more photos showing different stages of development.
	Clathrus ruber (Red Cage) Jul 25, 2021. Found in a private garden in High Wycombe, then reported in a local nature group and there spotted by Jesper Launder who had identified it in the same spot last year, he revisited the site in order to take this photo. This is a rare and somewhat unusual fungus and new to the county. Closely related to C. archeri (which appeared on July 1st this year - see also in Finds Jul-Dec) and belonging with the Stinkhorns, it arises from a buried whitish gelatinous egglike structure which then ruptures and from which the amazing latticelike framework emerges. It can get to 10 cms across and has a revolting smell of carrion! If anyone finds it elsewhere, do please report it!
	Clavaria acuta (Pointed Club) Nov 8, 2023. In Mousells Wood our group found this nice clump, the spores of which were later checked to confirm its identity as there are a few similar species. It is not that unusual to find this species in woodland as well as grassland and we have many county records though for some inexplicable reason this seems to be a first entry for Finds. The photo is Barry Webb's.
	Clavaria asperulispora (a Club with no common name) Nov 3, 2024. In the grass at Prestwood Churchyard Phil Townsend found a remarkable group of what appeared to be dark purple clubs near to a small Yew bush (photo 1). He sent his photos to Penny in the hope of help with ID but Penny was nonplussed as well! She and Sarah visited this site two days later and found this same group though now appearing more dark brown to black rather than purple as it appeared earlier (Penny's photo 2). At home Penny found the spores were tiny, round and finely ornamented which matched perfectly with C. asperulispora, a rare species which was found here new to the county in 2021 by Jesper Launder though in small numbers and under a different Yew. The species reportedly favour Yew and there are still only three UK records other than Jesper's on FRDBI so to find such a rare species in impressive numbers like this is quite remarkable and it's exciting to find the species apparently thriving here. We will have a sample sequenced. Nov 23, 2021. In Prestwood Churchyard under a large Yew Jesper Launder found this very dark singleton club, one that is genuinely very rare though possibly easily missed. It is a Yew associate with only a handful of UK records (some of those being duplicates!) so this was an exciting discovery. If found and examined with a scope as here, its distinctive small round spiny spores soon confirm what should be a fairly straightforward identification.
	Clavaria cf incarnata (Skinny club) Nov 1, 2024. At Prestwood Churchyard Sarah Ebdon came across a few of these pale salmon pink clubs growing inidividually rather than clustered and close to the much larger Cuphophyllus pratensis (Meadow Waxcap). Never having seen a pink club apart from the clustered C. fumosa (Smoky Spindles and a regular fruiter at this site though rare) before, she was intrigued and took one home to work on. She discovered there are in fact several pink clubs, none very common, and without detailed information very tricky to name and in fact only recently separated with DNA sequencing. The new and somewhat pricy monograph is probably the only way forward other than sequencing (which we will hope to do) Sarah discovered from the BMS Facbook page that C. incarnata seems to have an affinity with C. pratensis together with a variety of Thistle and this in fact checked out when she went back to the site . She and Penny then visited the site a week later and refound this beautiful club (photo 3 is Penny's) together with a host of other interesting species. We appear to have one previous county record dating from 1925 (!) in Gt Missenden (only a couple of miles from Prestwood) made by the eminent and highly acclaimed mycologist E. Corner. Far be it from Penny to discount this record but bearing in mind the developments in speciation over the last 100 years, we are hopeful that Sarah's find will turn out to be the first sequenced collection in Bucks therefore worthy of the prestigious yellow box here!
	Clavaria flavipes (Straw Club) Nov 4, 2023. In a grassy spot in Jordans Village Jesper Launder spotted these very unusual clubs which he recognised, being familiar with the species from Lancashire moorland. This is a tall club, not clustered, rather wishy-washy in colour and often tapering at the top but with an ochre yellow stem distinct from the fertile 'club' part. it apparently occurs in both shortish grass and woodlands in both acidic and calcareous soils but is seldom recorded. This is a new species for the county.
	Clavaria fragilis (White Spindles) Sep 23, 2024. In Prestwood churchyard Sarah Ebdon found several grassland species beginning to appear, this being one of them. It is not that common but quite often found at this site - one of our best for such species - and can be recognised by its habit of growing in loose clusters and lack of a separate stem beneath the club-shaped top section. The spore shape and size is also a useful confirmation, differing from other possibly similar species. Oct 13, 2023. In Austenwood Common in mown grassland Jim Wills came across this patch of white club fungi. Checking our one previous Finds entry later at home and realising it appears to be not that common in the county, he checked the spores to eliminate the other similar possibilities to confirm his ID. So this is our second record of the species this season. See also in Finds 2023 August 7th. Aug 7, 2023. In a grassy verse in Jordans Jesper Launder found this pure white clump of Clubs - not rare but apparently with only two previous county records. Another white Club, C. acuta, is much more commonly recorded though the two could easily be confused. That species is grouped together rather than tightly clustered as here, furthermore it has a distinct thinner stem section at the base, not seen here. This is a new entry for Finds.
	Clavaria fumosa (Smoky Spindles) Oct 9, 2024. At Prestwood Churchyard Sarah Ebdon found this beautiful and subtle-coloured club coming up in its usual grassy spot near a large Yew. Though not a common species it appears to be a regular at this site where Penny recalls being excited to find it for the first time 20 years ago, never having seen it before. Oct 14, 2023. In a grassy area at Chalfont St. Peter Sarah Ebdon found this attractive cluster of clubs - not that common but an easy one to recognise: each club is quite tall and thick, their grey-pink colour is diagnostic and they grow in tight clusters in unimproved grassland. Penny also saw this species at Prestwood churchyard - a regular site for it - a few days later though sadly rather damaged. Oct 30, 2021. In Prestwood Churchyard Penny was pleased to find this unusual and beautiful species fruiting in the identical spot where she found it last year. It is an easy one to recognise purely from its dingy pink 'tenticles' which are tightly clustered and intertwined, standing about 6cms tall but is not common and only found in unimproved grassland areas such as this. Nov 26, 2020. Penny C. was delighted to find this old friend growing in Prestwood churchyard. We have previous photos (dated Oct 07 and Nov 12) from different sites, but here in Prestwood in 2005 the species was new to her (and she still has the photo), so it's good to know that it's still happily fruiting here amongst the many different waxcaps and clubs. This is clearly one of the best sites in the area for grassland species. Nov 12, 2020. When Penny C. noticed this pale little cluster of clubs on Ibstone Common she nearly passed it by as one of the yellow clubs but just faded and rainwashed. However, she took a photo and collected it just to make sure, only to discover with the scope at home that it was in fact faded and rainwashed (also much rarer) Clavaria fumosa instead! See the collection dated Oct 07 which shows its typical smoky pink colour when fresh, but the notes for that collection comment on its variability, thus today's collection is worth including here to illustrate that. Oct 7, 2020. Sarah Ebdon found this quite rare grassland fungus in Bradenham Churchyard. We have just two other known sites in the county for this species; it is similar to several other yellow spindles and clubs, but its colour quickly separates it though it seems to vary, ranging from mouse grey to cream or with a pink tinge as here.
	Clavaria tenuipes (a Club with no common name) Nov 9, 2021. On the grassy mossy banks of the Jubilee River near Dorney Russell Ness found this rare species of Club, one for which we have only a very few records. It is notable for having rather a flattened head which distinguishes it from most other white Clubs, also larger spores than the other candidate having a flattened head.
	Clavariadelphus pistillaris (Giant Club) Oct 8, 2021. After John Catterson's find of this unusual species (see dated Oct 3rd) Penny then found it at two different sites: photo 1 was two days earlier at Kings Wood Tylers Green, then photo 2, today's find, at Whiteleaf Cross, both under Beech. The two look very different and on finding today's two specimens she was not at all sure they represented the same species, but realised later when checking that they are just fully mature examples. They were about 12 cms high and the club-shaped tops were about 6-7 cms across. Both finds were new to the respective sites. Oct 3, 2021. In Tinkers Wood John and Lesley Catterson found this unusual species, always an exciting one to find and considered an indicator species of ancient Beech woodland. Clubs can reach up to 20 cms tall, are typically this clavate shape and can sometimes be found in clusters. Oct 14, 2020. Penny Cullington was pleased to find this quite rare species just emerging in Beech litter in Kings Wood. Just a singleton, it was about 8 cms tall x 4 cms across but can get to upwards of 15 cms, and can't really be mistaken for anything else. Thought to be an indicator species of ancient woodland but also possibly declining in Britain, it was nice to find it still fruiting here.
	Claviceps purpurea (Ergot) Aug 27, 2024. At Dancersend Neil Fletcher found this unusual ascomycete which grows on the heads of grasses including Rye, forming a dark hard sclerotia (seen here). This is a dangerously toxic species and in past centuries was responsible for many deaths but nowadays all grain seed is treated thus removing the threat to both humans and livestock. It has also been used medicinally but owing to the dangerous side effects this practice has been discontinued. We have about 16 county records with several from this site. Jul 25, 2021. On two different host grasses in meadowland between Jordans village and Chalfont St Giles Jesper Launder spotted this fungus which develops a large dark purple 'sclerotium' just prior to harvest time and which, in the Middle Ages, was responsible for many deaths when harvested with rye and other related crops, causing the disease ergotism also known as St. Anthony's Fire. Not rare but nowadays controllable, and more information about the disease is available online. On the West Wycombe Estate a few days later Sarah Ebdon found the species again, this time on an ear of barley (photo 3).
	Clavicorona taxophila (a Clavarioid species with no common name) Nov 30, 2022. In conifer litter at Bernwood Forest Jesper Launder picked out this unusual and beautiful tiny white fungus which was new to the county last year. Resembling a champagne flute with a slightly frilly edge it is unmistakable if you can find it! Dec 30, 2021. Penny's visit to Prestwood Churchyard today was focused on hopefully finding this rare species - new to her and new to the county when found and identified by Russell Ness at Cliveden on December 12th (see Finds under that date for more). She was naturally delighted when she spotted a few tiny thin white specks under a large Yew. (This particular tree also sported Clavaria asperulispora, yet another rarity associated with Yew and new to the county when found by Jesper Launder - see Finds dated Nov 23rd.) These tiny white clubs are less than 2 cms tall and easily missed amongst the moss but luckily a fresh little cluster was pushing through some loose soil adjacent to a wormcast (photo 1). So here was yet another exciting species to appear at this remarkable churchyard, making an excellent way to round off a memorable late autumn season. Dec 12, 2021. In the grounds of Cliveden Estate a week earlier Russell Ness found a few very small white clubs after hard frost, noting the nearby Holly, but could make nothing of them. Returning today he found more fresh specimens in the same area but clearly under a large Yew, and this led him at home to his determination of this rare species not previously recorded in the county, with few national records and at one stage on the Red Data list. The spores are minute and the clubs are typically trumpet-shaped with a slightly frilly top. This was an excellent find.
	Clavulina cinerea (Grey Coral) Sep 26, 2023. In a mown grassy verge at Turville Heath Penny found a couple of tight clumps of this coral fungus, clearly not white enough or sharply crested enough for the similar C. coralloides (Crested Coral). It is common in woodland litter though possibly less so in grassy aspects though it was under Oak here. Oct 12, 2020. This clump was found by Penny Cullington in soil in Gussetts Wood. Often confused with the very similar and equally common C. coralloides (Crested Coral) - yet to be added to our list, it is not as white as that species and has a lavender-greyish hue, also the dividing tips are blunter and not as finely crested. It is very commonly found infected by the dark grey fungus seen here on the lower part of the LH cluster, as to a lesser extent is C. coralloides. Both species could be confused with the somewhat similar genus Ramaria see photos dated Sept 13 & 24) which forms larger more upright regular clusters with narrower individual limbs.
	Clavulina coralloides (Crested Coral) Aug 4, 2023. In soil / litter under Hornbeam in Hodgemoor Woods Penny came across this nice clump of fresh Coral. Though similar to and sometimes mistaken for the equally common C. cinerea, the tips of today's species are forking and sharp in comparison. Oct 14, 2020. This attractive species was found in Beech litter in Kings Wood by Penny Cullington. Previously C. cristata, it is very common in our Beech woods though easy to confuse with the equally common and very similar C. cinerea (see photo dated Oct 12). Today's species is pure white when fresh and the forking tips are acute. See notes re C. cinerea for more comparison etc.
	Clavulina rugosa (Wrinkled Club) Oct 9, 2024. At Prestwood Churchyard this was one of several species found by Sarah Ebdon. It favours grassy woodland glades rather than pure grassland sites and here was quite near to trees. It has rather distorted uneven clubs with blunt tips sometimes diverging and grows in groups though not in tight clusters. Dec 27, 2021. In Gold Hill Common, Chalfont St. Peter, Jim Wills noticed some white frilly but thick clubs in grass with Birches nearby. Suspecting (correctly) that they were this species, he was surprised to find them in such a grassy area thinking it was mainly a woodland fungus. They are common in mossy grassy woodland glades, woodland edges and though similar to the closely related C. cinerea and C. coralloides, can be separated from these by their rather thicker blunt irregular clubs, sometimes hardly forking at all. All three species are relatively common. Nov 18, 2020. This is normally a common grassland species but seems to have been pretty scarce so far this season. We have just a singleton club dated Nov 05, so it was good to see more specimens today in a piece of lawn under Pine close to Prestwood churchyard, found by Penny C. This collection shows the species quite well though it can get considerably taller than these were, up to 8 - 10 cm high - today's were only about half that. Nov 5, 2020. Penny C. found just this one club in longish grass under Pine in Turville Heath. Normally not an uncommon species, maybe it's just making an appearance so possibly one to look out for now. Compared to both C. cinerea and C. coralloides (see photos dated Oct 12 and Oct 14) it is taller and thicker, up to 8 cms high and often single as here or with just a suggestion of branching, if so then rather lumpy and unevenly irregular.
	Clavulinopsis corniculata (Meadow Coral) Sep 10, 2024. In Lacey Green churchyard Sarah Ebdon found this coral growing in shortish grass. It is usually possible to name this one in the field owing to its branching clustered habit and small size compared to other similar yellow species which are either individual clubs or if clustered then not branching in this way. Nov 18, 2021. In Bradenham Churchyard Penny found first one clump of this distinctive Club in grass and then under Yew several more. Unlike other members of this genus which need a scope to name to species, this one with its low habit and forming tight curly clusters is probably the easiest one to recognise. Nov 20, 2020. We have an earlier photo of this species dated Nov 8th, that being the first time it had appeared. Penny C. has now seen it in various different grassy settings and today it was coming up in good numbers in St Giles churchyard, Stoke Poges. Jan 27, 2020. In woodland litter in Brill Common Joanna Dodsworth noticed this bright yellow coral which at first she assumed was Calocera viscosa (Yellow Stagshorn). However, that species only occurs on conifer (not present here) so further work was needed to identify it. In fact it is not that unusual to find the normally grassland members of the genus Clavulinopsis fruiting in woodland (as the genus Hygrocybe sometimes does as well), so the common name in this case is somewhat misleading. This particular Coral is probably the commonest of its genus to occur in this habitat and also tends to continue fruiting longer into the winter season.
	Clavulinopsis helvola (Yellow Club) Sep 26, 2023. In a mown mossy grassy verge under Oak at Turville Heath Penny found a few clusters of yellow clubs which she suspected might be something other than this species which is probably the commonest - they seemed rather twisted and misshapen. However, the spores were unmistakeable: round with a few protruding extrusions and unlike those of any other similar species. We have several other examples in Finds. Nov 17, 2022. In Prestwood Churchyard Penny found just a very few of this normally abundant Club - by far the commonest of three very similar species. This is also the easiest to identify with a scope as it has round spores which have isolated warts dotted about on them, the other two have smooth ellipsoid spores. When bright yellow as here rather than orange one can almost name it in the field but today's specimens were large and also rather flattened (one was shaped like a Geoglossum (Earthtongue) only yellow but sadly my photo turned out too blurred!) so they definitely needed checking. Nov 8, 2020. Penny C. had been surprised this common little grassland Coral had not turned up anywhere so far, then found it in good numbers just poking through the mossy grass in the churchyard at Princes Risborough today. This is a Clavulinopsis which is nameable in the field and clearly very different from the simple yellow clubs which have been much in evidence in recent weeks. It forms orange yellow tightly intertwining clusters, sometimes branching, sometimes not, each 'tendril' thinner than the simple clubs and each clump reaching 5 or 6 cms in height at most. Another clustering species of this genus to look out for in grassland is C. fusiformis, not likely to be confused with today's species being taller (to 10 cms high) with thicker and brighter yellow clumps of single clubs. Oct 28, 2020. We already have this species dated Oct 03, but today in the lawns at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens there were literally hundreds of these tiny clubs. Penny C. suspected that there must be more than one of the three extremely similar clubs present and collected two samples, one bright yellow clump and one distinctly orange clump, to check later. She was wrong! Both had the same spores with knobbles which separate C. helvola from the other two species. This just goes to show how some species cannot be named with any certainty in the field. Oct 3, 2020. There were many of these in mown grass in the Penn Street churchyard, found by Penny Cullington. This species is one of three more or less identical Clubs (sometimes called Fairy Clubs), so species identification can only be made by checking the spores (shape and size). C. helvola, however, is by far the commonest of the three. All three are not much taller than the blades of grass they inhabit and even with this colour are easily overlooked. Note the wider often grooved upper section and narrower stem below common to all the species.
	Clavulinopsis laeticolor (Handsome Club) Oct 24, 2023. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny noticed amongst the many patches of bright yellow clubs on show here (all probably C. helvola but not checked) this cluster which were not only more orange but also rather an unusual shape for a club, broadening out at their flattish tips. The spores are all important in this genus and she found these had rather thick walls and were ellipsoid to almost triangular with a remarkably large apiculus (lump with which the spore was originally attached to the basidium - spore-producing cell). So despite these clubs' rather odd shape, their spores were diagnostic for this particular species. Nov 18, 2020. In Prestwood churchyard today Penny C. found some rather short and bright orange clubs which she thought might be worth checking just in case they were a different species. We have two of the three common Clavulinopsis species on our list already and as luck would have it today's proved to be the third. It's all down to spore shape and size and whether the spores have a large apiculus or not.
	Clavulinopsis luteoalba (Orange Club) Nov 15, 2024. In the mossy short grass at Coombe Hill Penny noticed these bright orange spikes everywhere and they were much more apparent than the normally very frequent C. helvola (Yellow Club). Though one is advised that these small and attractive fungi always need a scope to name safely, it is becoming increasingly likely that the distinctive orange rather than yellow of this particular species - often also with white tips as can be seen here - is one that can be safely named in the field. Separating C. helvola from the much rarer C. laeticolor is still, however, a job for the scope! Nov 17, 2022. At Stampwell Farm in shortish grass Jackie Ewan found this species and despite it appearing quite orange rather than yellow she checked the spores to make sure it was not the much commoner and normally yellower C. helvola (see below, found on the same day at Prestwood Churchyard). It is worth comparing these two collections plus others in Finds via the Masterlist in order to appreciate quite how similar these yellow Clubs are. Nov 15, 2023. Under Yew in Prestwood Churchyard Penny found these Clubs making their way around a root above surface. She took one home to check the spores as there are two almost identical small clubs having this subtle orange tinge rather than the yellow of the much more common C. helvola (Yellow Club). The species today is described as often having whitish tips but in Penny's experience this is seldom seen and the only safe way to separate them is by their spores shape. Jan 3, 2022. In a mossy woodland glade in Rushbeds Wood Penny noticed these brightly coloured clubs standing out. Yes, it is late in the season to be finding these but not that unusual for them to appear in woodland despite the fact that they are thought of a grassland species. (On our Rushbeds Walk in late November we found 4 species of Waxcap which also surprised some people.) However today's species appears to be new to the site. Photo 2 is of a further collection made by Jackie Ewan at Stampwell Farm the next day, proving yet again how species are triggered to fruit at the same time across a wide area. Oct 30, 2020. At Coombe Hill today Penny found some small clubs which looked distinctly more orange in colour than those seen recently at other grassland sites. Would these at last prove to be a different species from the very common C. helvola? (see previous photos dated Oct 03 and 28.) The spores are key here and examining them is essential in splitting the species apart. Sure enough, they were smooth and pip-shaped (not round with bumps on as in C. helvola which can sometimes also be similarly orange) and matched correctly for C. luteoalba. Success!
	Clavulinopsis rufipes (A species of Coral with no common name) Oct 25, 2020. Penny C. came across three little clusters of a small Coral she didn't recognise in moss in unimproved grassland at Ragpits Nature Reserve. It seemed on first glance quite similar to C. corniculata but was too pale and just didn't have the right 'jizz', so she took it home to work on. The tiny smooth ellipsoid spores, general appearance and small size (just 2-3 cms tall) fitted with the very rare C. rufipes, illustrated in Kibby vol 1 and the Collins Field Guide, and sure enough the rather blunt-tipped branches joined at the base which was slightly rufous brown - the diagnostic feature. So this is new to the county and a species with very few national records.
	Clitocella popinalis (a rare mushroom with no common name) Oct 29, 2022. In a mossy grass verge in Granborough (nr Waddesdon) Jesper Launder found these three mushrooms which puzzled him somewhat. Though similar to a greyish Clitocybe (Funnel) the spores were entirely wrong. Penny suggested maybe Ripartites tricholoma - a Clitocybioid species having round ornamented spores and a better fit but still not correct. It was Geoffrey Kibby who suggested that Jesper looked at the genus Rhodocybe, some of which are now moved to a new genus Clitocella. This proved to be the answer, and it keyed straight to C. popinalis confirmed even further when Jesper noticed that the cap was developing blackish patches - apparently typical of the species. This is new to the county and was a nice find.
	Clitocybe agrestis (a Funnel with no common name) Oct 22, 2021. In a grassy area in Chalfont St. Giles Jesper Launder noticed this white Funnel growing in rings amongst the quite similar but clearly different C. rivulosa and recalled failing to tie it down to species last year. Having no useful microscopic characters to help beside checking the spore size, this genus often causes difficulty and tends to be passed by, but Jesper noted the almost Waxcap / Woodwax appearance with no zoning or pink tints as in the very common C. rivulosa, also the more distinctly decurrent gills, and was able to sort it this time. We have just one previous county record, though texts acknowledge that the species is probably not that rare but often overlooked.
	Clitocybe dealbata (Fool's Funnel) Nov 1, 2020. Whilst searching Penn Street Cricket Pitch for Waxcaps, Penny noticed this pale pink cluster and was momentarily confused. They were clearly not Waxcaps and it took a moment before she realised they were very young specimens of C. dealbata (= C. rivulosa for many but this is till disputed!). She then found some more mature caps nearby to add to the photo. Oct 20, 2020. John Catterson found good numbers of this species in a churchyard in Hughendon. A common grassland species, this was previously known as C. dealbata and synonymy with C. rivulosa wrankles with some mycologists including Penny C. because the distinct pink tones and typical droplet spots on the cap (seen clearly in John's photos) together with grassland habitat seem very distinct from the white to buff predominantly woodland species which is C. rivulosa. It often forms fairy rings in lawns and is dangerously toxic, so do not mistake for Marasmius oreades (Fairy Ring Champignon)!
	Clitocybe fragrans (Fragrant Funnel) Jan 1, 2023. In Prestwood Churchyard Penny was hopeful of finding something exciting to start the new year off, but not so! This collection was the only fungi she could find, but at least the delicious sweet aniseed smell was present to confirm the ID. Otherwise this is a fairly drab nondescript little species, very similar to other pale funnels and often very common though apparently in short supply in recent months. Its smell is its one redeeming feature. See the Masterlist for more examples. Feb 24, 2022. In a meadow at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed two clusters of this smallish Funnel, unremarkable in appearance but with a very distinctive sweet smell of aniseed. It didn't make an appearance last autumn till well into November but has made sporadic fruitings though the winter months - unusual to occur this late, though. Jan 1, 2022. Penny found quite a few examples of this common Funnel still fruiting (and still smelling sweet) at Turville Heath in grassy litter under mixed deciduous and conifer trees. Photo 3 is of a yet further collection made by Penny and Sarah Ebdon on Jan 12th at Lacey Green Churchyard. Nov 18, 2021. In Prestwood Churchyard in grass under Oak Penny found quite a few of this small and insignificant little Funnel, one which however reveals its identity as soon as you put it to your nose! It has a delicious sweet scent of aniseed, similar to that of the blue-capped C. odora (Aniseed Funnel) but less intense. Oct 30, 2020. Penny C. has been on the lookout for this species and today found good numbers of it on the escarpment at Coombe Hill. It's a smallish Funnel and fairly nondescript, in fact very like several other Funnels (see C. phaeophthalma dated Oct 14 for one example), but like that species it can be distinguished from others by its smell. Not of wet feathers as in C. phaeophthalma but really sweet with a clear aniseed component, more like that of C. odora but of course not likely to be confused with that species which has a blue green cap. Now we know this species is about, it's worth picking up anything which looks similar and giving it a smell. Once experienced, never forgotten! Photo 2 taken 3 days later in Bradenham Churchyard shows a rather different collection with a dark central dot in the cap. Penny suspected this was a different species because there was no smell on collection, but a few hours later at home the smell had become unmistakable.
	Clitocybe (=Infundibulicybe) geotropa (Trooping Funnel) Oct 19, 2020. A very common species with a new genus name, this was found in Long Wood, Holmer Green, in deciduous litter by Greg Douglas. One of the largest funnels and often confused when old with the equally large and common C. nebularis, the features to note are the strongly decurrent (sloping) gills and the raised bump in the cap centre (not really visible here). We hope to show more detailed photos in further examples. Nov 17, 2020. After the Giant Pluteus at Turville Heath Penny C. came across three enormous Trooping Funnels, so added them to her photos for the day. We already have various photos of this species at different stages of development and it is not unusual to find them looking exactly like these today with caps measuring about 15 cm across.
	Clitocybe gibba (Common Funnel) Sep2, 2020. Found growing in grass in Penn Street churchyard by Nick Standing. This is a species which often fruits early in the season and occurs in both woodland and grassland.
	Clitocybe houghtonii (a Funnel with no common name) Oct 1, 2023. In Tinkers Wood John Catterson noticed good numbers of this Funnel coming up in the litter. He was stumped as to its ID so brought it along to Naphill prior to our walk there to show Penny and Derek. Both agreed the pinkish gills and sweet smell of tomato leaves were diagnostic of this species, soon to be moved to a new genus Leucocybe. Though the cap is similar to many other small Funnels - not all of which have obviously decurrent gills - the species typically has pink gills often with cross ridges and here they can be seen to be strongly forking near the cap margin also. Crushing the gills a little will then produce a smell very familiar to anyone who grows their own tomatoes. An occasional species, this is a new addition to the Finds list.
	Clitocybe nebularis (Clouded Funnel) Oct 26, 2023. In Bernwood Forest Penny found this common and substantial Funnel amongst Spruce and Oak. It tends to be a late season fruiter and can often be seen in good numbers forming rings around many different trees. It is commonly confused with other large Funnel species, especially as it matures and gets really large and somewhat shapeless, but has a distinctive fruity smell which helps in its ID. Oct 21, 2022. In the Beech litter in Gussett's Wood this species was beginning to make its presence felt, found by Penny. One of our commonest mushrooms in deciduous litter, it tends to be a late season fruiter and often grows in large numbers forming rings around a tree. Despite its fruity smell - of apricots to Penny - this is a poisonous species. Nov 17, 2021. At Pullingshill Wood Penny came across many clumps of this very common species just visible above the thick layer of Beech leaves which restricted much else from being seen. The strongly decurrent cream gills together with the cream to grey tones in the very large and wavy mature caps were diagnostic though its distinctive fruity smell had long since changed into something less pleasant! Identifying even common species such as this can be a challenge this late in the season. Oct 22, 2020. Penny and Paul C. found this collection under mixed deciduous trees in Hodgemoor Woods. Considered a late season fruiter it is just appearing now and is one of the larger Funnels, getting to as much as 20 cms across at maturity. The caps here were only 6 cms across but the thickness of the stems even at this stage suggests there's a lot of expanding to come! Gills are crowded and decurrent and caps are rounded at this stage and greyish but always paler towards the margin. It has a pleasant fruity smell (to Penny of apricots) but is a toxic species. In maturity it is often confused with the equally large C. geotropa. Common and often forming rings, found in woodland and grassland.
	Clitocybe odora (Aniseed Funnel) Oct 5, 2022. In Downley Common Claire Williams came across some stunning specimens of this quite common species - always a delight to find it because both the cap colour and the smell are amazing. We've seen a few specimens in recent weeks but none as intensely blue-green as these - sometimes the caps can be so pale that unless picked to test for the strong sweet smell it is easily overlooked as just another Funnel. Oct 18, 2021. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this distinctive Funnel species. Many of this genus are somewhat similar and consequently hard to identify but this one is unique in its beautiful blue green cap colour and a strong sweet smell of aniseed - an unmistakable combination. It occurs in grassy path edges or woodland litter and in some years is quite common, in others is hardly seen. Oct 5, 2020. This beautiful species was found by Margaret Bolton in Moorend Common in deciduous litter. This genus has been poorly represented so far this season and many Funnels are not at all easy to identify. This one, however, is probably the easiest with two key field characters: the strong smell of aniseed is unmistakeable and the blue green caps can sometimes be even darker than in this collection - a unique colour within the genus. However, be aware that the caps of Stropharia caerulea (see photo dated Sept 30) when young and fresh can also be this colour. Note, therefore, the differing gill colour which will separate the two species straight away.
	Clitocybe truncicola (Trunk Funnel) Oct 19, 2024. In a roadside verge near Denham Jesper Launder spotted this somewhat unusual mushroom which appeared to be fruiting on the remains of an old bracket. Nonplussed as to what it might be, he spent considerable time eventually arriving at this ID which apparently seems to fit well. The species has an earthy smell and grows on rotting wood (unusual for the genus) so presumably it was attaching to and getting nutrients from the wood through the old bracket. We have just one previous county record, so this was a significant find and the material will be sequenced.
	Clitocybe vibecina (Mealy Funnel) Nov 12, 2022. At Stampwell Farm on an old Bracken heap Jackie Ewan found this clump of Funnels, noticed their mealy smell and the sunken darker centre to the cap, then later checked the spore size to confirm their ID. There are several very similar Funnels which tend to fruit late in the season though only two with a distinct mealy smell, C. ditopus having smaller spores than Jackie found here. The species is a new entry for Finds.
	Clitopilus abprunulus (a very rare species related to the Miller) Aug 4, 2023. In a grassy roadside verge under Lime in Chalfont St. Peter Jim Wills noticed some whitish mushrooms just emerging. Collecting one, it resembled the common C. prunulus (The Miller) having the typical cap texture of kid gloves, decurrent gills turning slightly pink and mealy smell. However, the stem was clearly off centre - something he'd not noticed before in this species. At home consulting his Kibby vol 4 he found a newly described member of this genus (2020) which compared to the commoner species has a duller slightly grey cap, smaller spores and an eccentric stem. Having taken a sporeprint to check that it did indeed have the pink spores of this genus (photo 3), he checked them first for the unusual ridges which are characteristic of the genus, then for their size which was indeed too small for C. prunulus. Penny, when he contacted her, was cautious about making a claim for such a rarity (there being no FRDBI entries at all) so some material was dried and subsequently sent for sequencing. In Spring 2024 the results came back confirming Jim's ID! So congratulations to Jim and apologies from Penny for delaying this entry till confirmed - better safe than sorry, though. It is highly likely that though Jim's record - in April 2024 still the only one in FRDBI - is virtually a first for the UK (a 1994 collection of C. prunulus held in Kew was designated the paratype in 2020 following sequencing), that C. abprunulus is not that rare but has been overlooked and probably regularly misnamed as C. prunulus.
	Clitopilus hobsonii (Miller's Oysterling) Aug 13, 2023. On very rotten wood in Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found these tiny white mushrooms and naturally assumed they were a species of Crepidotus. However, working on them later he found they just wouldn't fit! On receiving his photo and reading that the spore print was pink, Penny realised that the genus was incorrect and this was C. hobsonii - extremely similar to Crepidotus being small, white and shell-shaped but also white underneath with more of a stem than found in that genus. Crepidotus has brown spores which soon start to colour the gills whereas the pink spores of this species do not colour the gills until really mature, hence they remain entirely white as seen here, also they are less crowded. The spores are also very different but being pale even under a scope the detail can be difficult to see. Jan 27, 2023. In Austenwood Common, Gerrards Cross, Jim Wills noticed this stump with good numbers of a small white 'pleurotoid' species very similar to the genus Crepidotus. Checking with a scope is essential for ID to species with careful observation of spore size, shape and ornamentation because there are other possibilites as well as that genus, one of these being Clitopilus hobsonii which has spores lacking ornamentation but with longditudinal ridges which can often be tricky to see and easily missed by the unwary. Note also the gills long remaining white (though the genus Clitopilus has a pink-brown sporeprint (see photo 2)) - Crepidotus gills tend to start turning brownish before full maturity. Today's species is quite possibly much more common than generally realised though regularly mistaken for a species of Crepidotus unless properly checked as here. Sep 4, 2022. These tiny little beauties - only a few mm across - were found by Barry Webb on our Walk at Kings Wood Tyler's Green but not included in Penny's report though this was one of several collections of the species she checked at home later. An occasional species, it is like a pure white Crepidotus (Oysterling) but with very different microscopic features and eventually only faintly pinkish brown gills (from the spore colour) whereas Crepidotus gills start to turn beige brown much sooner - hence today's species is only identifiable with certainty using a scope. Jun 30, 2021. On a rotting deciduous log at Turville Heath Penny noticed some tiny white caps which, however, were stalkless and similar to seashells in shape therefore probably a species of Crepidotus or maybe their lookalike Clitopilus hobsonii. A sporeprint at home revealed pink rather than brown spores pointing to the Clitopilus, and sure enough the spores were ridged and fitted exactly for size and shape to confirm the less frequent C. hobsonii - not rare but something Penny seldom finds. In the same genus as the common grassland species the Miller (C. prunulus) this species never gets much bigger than 2 cm across and is only found on deciduous wood. Nov 30, 2020. Penny C. noticed these small 'Crepidotus' -like white caps in tiers at head height on the thick stem of a dead Ivy clinging to a large Pine in the Mire in Burnham Beeches. They were unfortunately very dry and past their sell-by date but the unusual substrate suggested they might be something interesting. They had semicircular caps with no stem and pink gills which lacked a hint of rust as would be found in Crepidotus. At home the spores revealed the genus straight away: they were faintly ribbed as in the common Clitopilus prunulus (Miller) though that species has a central stem, strongly decurrent pink gills and grows in grassy path edges (see photo dated Sept 07). This is an uncommon species (though maybe often missed and mistaken for Crepidotus?); we have quite a few county records, however, though only one for Burnham Beeches back in 2004.
	Clitopilus prunulus (The Miller) Sep 9, 2024. At Stampwell Farm this species is a regular early season mushroom coming up in grassland and grassy pathsides. It has a mealy smell (of rancid flour) and decurrent gills which turn pink as they mature. Jul 18, 2021. Whilst walking on Beaconsfield Golf Course Jesper Launder found this collection of common early grassland mushroom, often found in grassy woodland glades as well. The caps are white and have a soft kid glove feel to them, the gills are pale pink and somewhat decurrent, the stems are also white and once picked they have a distinctive mealy smell (hence the common name). Considered by some a good edible species, beware because it is easily confused with a very similar and very poisonous species of grassland Clitocybe! Sep 7, 2020. A common early season species, this collection was found by Penny Cullington in Mousells Wood fruiting in deciduous litter. It's just as common in grassy path edges and is so-named for its distinctive mealy smell (i.e. of flour). The cap has a feel of kid gloves and the pinkish decurrent gills are also good characters, but though considered a good edible species, do not collect for the pot because it is easily mistaken for several similar species of Clitocybe, one of them dangerously poisonous!
	Coleroa robertiani (a plant pathogen with no common name) May 16, 2024. Not all species of fungi we mark with a green box (indicating few county records) are rarities! Sarah Ebdon, who found this species in her back garden having just read about it in her book, says it is 'super common'! As with many of this type of fungi, if you know your plants it becomes much easier to identify the fungus on them - many of which are host specific. This one was on Herb Robert, one of the commonest members of the Geranium family, though it can occur on other geranium species. It is a new entry for Finds
	Collaria arcyrionema (a Slime Mould with no common name) Jul 21, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Barry Webb had a field day together with Gill Ferguson and Stephen Plummer, finding 20 different species of Slime Mould including this one on rotten wood. Members of this genus are notable for their iridescent glinting colours as they mature, and this delightful photo conveniently shows the species at two different and equally beautiful stages. They may look as big as puffballs here but in fact are less than 2.5mm high! This is a new species for Finds. Jul 10, 2023. At Burnham Beeches on the same Pine stump where he's found it in two previous years, Barry Webb spotted a row of this tiny iridescent species, each individual no more than 3 mm high. The species within the genus Lamproderma which form a tiny collar just underneath the globe are now moved into the genus Collaria. Jul 6, 2021. On fallen rotting Pine in Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this pretty little sparkling species, a rare find which is new not only to the site but also to the county. This genus, four species of which are British, is split off from the similar Lamproderma on account of the small skirtlike collar which remains at the base of the sporangium (fruiting head - see photo 3) The iridescent heads are at first silvery, then become more bronze in colour. Photo 2 (taken of a collection found 6 days later in the same area on a different Pine) is more mature and thus bronze. Bear in mind that the entire sporocarp is at most 2.5 mm high!
	Collaria (= Comatricha) lurida (a slime mould with no common name) Mar 29, 2021. Barry Webb found this very rare Myxomycete in Burnham Beeches on Holly and Beech leaves in a woodchip pile. The species is, however, extremely similar to the much less rare C. elegans, so Penny was a bit sceptical about this determination (made from Barry's excellent photos by a Myxomycete expert online) until Barry said he'd been asked to include a photo of a specimen with the spore mass blown away, revealing the distinctive shape of the columella within (like the skeleton) as well as the collar which forms beneath. The two species are easily separated by their individually shaped columellas, also C. lurida occurs on deciduous leaves, particularly Holly as here, whereas C. elegans occurs on conifer wood - not present in this woodchip pile. Case closed! Not only is this a notable find for the county but there are very few UK records of this species.
	Collaria rubens (a rare Slime Mould with no common name) Jan 6, 2022. In Hodgemoor Woods Barry Webb found no less than six different species (all slime moulds except for Marasmius hudsonii) within one foot of each other under a Holly bush when looking for the Marasmius. C. rubens was the most interesting of them but he was unsure of its identification until Myxo expert Edvin Johannesen confirmed it from Barry's exquisite photos. He then found this rare species again in Naphill Common a week later. Photo1 (Hodgemoor) shows the tiny collar just under the sporangia typical of the species. Photos 2 and 3 (Naphill) show both immature and mature specimens. The species is described as occurring in leaf litter, especially Ivy and Holly as here. This is yet another Slime Mould new to the county. (For more examples of the genus go to Barry's separate page on Finds.)
	Collybia cirrhata (Piggyback Shanklet) Nov 3, 2020. Whilst on her knees amongst the Pine needles in Burnham Beeches, Penny C. noticed these tightly clustered tiny bright white mushrooms growing on some rotting black matter. Their size can be assessed from the photo by the enormous pine needles dwarfing them! She collected them on their substrate (some unknown fungus) to examine later, knowing this was one of three species of Shanklet (still remaining in the genus Collybia!), all of which are fungi growing on rotting fungi, the identification of which depending upon the absence / presence and shape of a sclerotium (small tuber) attached to the stem base. This species is the commonest of the three and has merely some hairs at the stem base - no sclerotium. We have several sites in the county where it has been recorded previously, but not since 2003!
	Collybia cf cookei (Split Pea Shanklet) Nov 1, 2023. In Bradenham Churchyard Penny came across a concentrated collection of a small white-capped Mycenoid species in thickish grass which at the time completely foxed her. To her they just didn't have the 'jizz'of Mycena, nor had she come across such a large collection so closely clustered in grass before. It was not until working on it at home that the light dawned that this could well be one of the three tiny species of Collybia which grow on the remains of old fungi. This made sense because this particular part of the churchyard is regularly covered in a huge ring of Lepista nuda (Wood Blewit) and no doubt there would be fungal remains aplenty just here. Unfortunately the best way to separate the three possible Collybia species, all of which are uncommon, is to carefully examine the stem base for signs of the presence of a sclerotia (a tiny tuber) but because she'd found them in thick grass and hadn't recognised the genus at the time Penny had not thought to examine the ground beneath for this evidence. Hence the cf here meaning there is some doubt over the species, and she'll have a sample sequenced in the hope of nailing it. See the Masterlist for two entries of another of these unusual species.
	Collybiopsis villosipes (a rare mushroom with few national records as yet) Dec 6, 2022. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny found a few examples of this species in the lawns, one which seems to fruit here regularly but a rarity elsewhere, its identity confirmed by DNA sequencing several years ago. It is Mycenoid in shape and size though dark brown in cap and gills despite its white spores, and has a finely furry stem - only just visible with a handlens. Oct 25, 2021. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens in lawns we came across several tightly clustered clumps of this small mushroom only recently recognised at British. It occurs in USA and Australia (and probably elsewhere in Europe) and has previously resided in Gymnopus, Marasmius and Marasmiellus but is apparently now listed in Collybiopsis! Penny has found it at this site for many years and not known what it was, only what it was near, but when sequenced last year all was revealed. Stephen Plummer's photos illustrate it well, the caps being no more than 1.5 cm across at most.
	Comatricha alta (a slime mould with no common name) Dec 5, 2023. In Burnham Beeches on a large fallen rotten Beech Barry Webb found this delicate, tiny and rare species which was identified for him from his photo by Myxomycete expert Edvin Johannesen. The photo shows sporangia in various stages of development, each organism less than 5mm tall. This is new to the county as well as to Finds.
	Comatricha nigra (a slime mould with no common name) Nov 12, 2022. In Rushbeds Wood on our BFG Walk Stephen Plummer spied this tiny slime mould on a damp bare stick. It was still at the immature pink-headed stage, so he took it home taking a shot straight away, another that evening, then a third the following morning when the tiny heads had matured to black, hence images of all three colour stages seen here. This is a first for Finds though there is a superb image of the pink stage on Barry's separate slime moulds page on Finds.
	Coniophora putiana (Wet Rot) Dec 3, 2022. On a deciduous stump at Weston Turville Reservoir Penny noticed this generous patch of a common corticioid species - one you don't want to discover in your home! It can attack damp untreated wood in cellars and the like. Typical of it is the white finely fringed edge and, as it matures, the wrinkled cream to dirty ochre-olive centre. It occurs on both deciduous and coniferous woods. Nov 2, 2020. Joanna Dodsworth noticed this patch of corticioid fungus on fallen Hawthorn near Brill cricket pitch. This species forms circular flat patches on wet fallen wood which can merge and spread into large sheets. The frilly white edge and darker roughened centre are typical. This is the Wet Rot fungus which can damage buildings when found in cellars and wooden foundations.
	Conocybe anthracophila (Bonfire Conecap) Dec 4, 2024. At Burnham Beeches a group of us found a few examples of this little LBJ in a cleared area with litter and woody remains which may possibly have been burnt ground. Jesper Launder took it home to identify (the photo is his) and keyed it out from its microscopic characters, learning that despite its name it is not restricted to burnt ground and it could also have been on old dung of some sort. The species appears to be new to the site and to the county.
	Conocybe apala (Milky Conecap) Sep 7, 2023. In soil in a grassy area at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan spotted this very pale-capped Conecap which has a distinctive shape being acutely and steeply conical compared to many of the genus. Its colour here is typical and not just a result of fading in the sun. The species is not that common but there are in fact two other very similar species (C. albipes and C. pseudocrispa), making a check with a scope important for a secure ID. A week later Penny found two beauties (photos 2 and 3) in a grass verge at Turville Heath. This collection will be sequenced as there seems to be some confusion and doubt over separating these three species. May 16, 2023. In rotting straw in a dung heap at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this distinctive Conecap. This species - previously C. albipes, also C. lactea - can almost be named on sight owing to its markedly conical and pale cap, pale stem and relatively large size, though microscopic characters were also checked by Jackie. It is described as occurring in fertile soil, often in grass, but also with rotting straw as here and we have a good number of records - the majority from Derek's garden in Whitchurch where it was clearly a regular! Despite its distinctive characters there is much confusion over the correct name. Kibby, following Fungi of Temperate Europe, names it C. albipes, describing C. apala as rare and doubtfully British whereas C. albipes, described separately, is relatively common. Penny here follows FRDBI and Index Fungorum in naming it C. apala though personally favours C. lactea on the grounds that it well describes the milky coloured cap! Photo 2 shows another useful character of the species: it has a sizeable bulb at the stem base. Jun 10, 2021. In a grassy path at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this quite distinctive Conocybe - usually a contradiction in terms as many species in this genus look extremely similar and are well nigh impossible to separate from one another in the field. Today's species is recognisable not only by its rather acutely conical milky ivory cap - the palest in the genus, but in having an equally pale somewhat flimsy stem with a small bulb at its base. Not a rare species, it occurs in lawns as well as in (manured) meadows from late spring through to autumn. (Some books will be using its older and probably better known name of C. lactea (which of course describes it perfectly).
	Conocybe aurea (a rare Conecap with no English name) Sep 8, 2024. In Gerrards Cross in a patch of recently laid turf Jesper Launder noticed good numbers of this LBJ coming up. He took a sample home to work on and keyed it out very convincingly to this species for which there appear to be extremely few UK records. For this reason we sent a sample for sequencing with the result that Jesper's ID has now been confirmed. This is new to the county with only 9 FRDBI records, and is also a new entry for Finds.
	Conocybe cf. fuscimarginata (a rare species of Conecap with no common name) Apr 5, 2023. In woody debris, possibly old burnt ground, at Turville Heath Penny found this nice cluster of a rather pale LBJ and took them home to work on. The details found under the scope revealed this was a Conocybe as suspected and keying it out led to C. fuscimarginata though, as with the species below, it was not an exact fit and will be dried for sequencing. (Conocybe and Galerina are two genera often difficult to identify to species with any certainty.) We have just one previous county record of this species from 2007.
	Conocybe macrospora (a species of Conecap with no common name) May 25, 2021. On a visit to Stampwell Farm near Seer Green Penny found several fruit bodies of an interesting LBJ which needed work at home to identify. The rusty gills were an indication that it was a Conecap and at home the distinctive skittle-shaped cells on the gill edge confirmed this. Following through the lengthy key eventually arrived at this unusual species which amongst other features has basidia which bear only two spores each, thus producing notably larger spores than others in the genus. We have just one other county record with only about 30 UK records on the national database.
	Conocybe moseri (an unusual Conecap with no common name) May 17, 2022. In a composted flower bed at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this second collection of Conocybe nearby (see also the entry below) which she attempted to name but from limited resources. As Conocybe is a difficult genus to say the least, Penny considered it worth getting sequenced. Its DNA showed it to be C. moseri, new to the county and with few national records. So this was a nice find with a successful result - one of the first using our newly introduced Science Fund supported by BFG members' donations.
	Conocybe pubescens (Downy Conecap) Apr 18, 2023. At Burnham Beeches in an area clearly frequented by ponies Penny found several examples of this quite common LBJ - one which occurs on well rotted dung of large herbivores. The largest cap was about 2 cm across, the rusty gills typical of the genus are somewhat crowded, and its common name is derived from its very finely downy stem (covered in both caulocystidia and fine hairs though best seen with a handlens (and just visible in photo 3). May 17, 2022. At Stampwell Farm in a recently composted flowerbed Jackie Ewan made two collections of Conocybe near together, though a microscope revealed they were not the same species. One, however, was quite easily identifiable as C. pubescens - a common species on dung or manured soil, quite large for the genus with a finely hairy bulbous stem and rather large spores. (The second species Jackie found today proved harder to nail down with any certainty - not unusual with this genus.) Feb 24, 2022. On an old dung heap at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this bright rusty brown LBJ, noticed the finely pruinose stem and took it home to work on. The dung habitat together with its fairly large size for the genus, pruinose stem and large spores confirmed this as C. pubescens, not rare but with only two previous county records, both from Burnham Beeches. Nov 30, 2020. On a cowpat in the Mire at Burnham Beeches Penny C. noticed this singleton little mushroom with a strongly conical smooth orange / brown cap. This keyed out at home to a common dung species which has a stem covered in tiny fine hairs, hence its Latin species name.
	Conocybe rugosa (a species of Conecap with no common name) Jul 12, 2021. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this small LBJ under a gooseberry bush in a grassy vegetable patch, it being one of quite a few species within this large genus which have a ring on the stem (soon possibly to be established as the new genus Pholiotina). This particular species has a wrinkled (rugulose) cap surface and the stem ring has a fluted (striate) upper surface, both features just visible in photo 2. It normally occurs in grassy areas, also in grassy woodland paths and is considered an occasional species.
	Conocybe semiglobata (a Conecap with no common name) Mar 19, 2023. In woody debris under a large Pine at Turville Heath Penny found this small pair of LBJs and took them home to work on (this is not a genus one can identify in the field and often defies species identification even at home with a scope!). It keyed out to quite an unusual species (found from Spring to Autumn) and one for which we have just a single previous county record from 2009, hence the material is being dried and will be sequenced.
	Conocybe subovalis (a Conecap with no common name) Dec 22, 2020. It's amazing what you can find if you keep looking for fungi! Even this late in the season Russell Ness is still finding us new species for the list. Here is a fairly common species of Conecap found in mossy grass at Dorney Wetlands - clearly a site which is still busy fruiting. It has to be said that this little LBJ is not the most exciting and beautiful of mushrooms but, like all of this genus, it has some stunning features on the gill edge when viewed at x 400 with a scope - this being the only way one can identify the genus to species.
	Contumyces aff. rosellus (an unknown mushroom very similar to a rare fungus with no common name) Dec 8, 2020. On November 4th on Brill Common Joanna Dodsworth found two tiny Omphaloid mushrooms in grass with other Waxcaps. The larger of the two was only 2 cms high with cap about 1 cm across, they were entirely pink with a violet tinge and had widely spaced strongly decurrent gills. At home the likeliest candidate seemed to be Contumyces rosellus, a rare species which she found in Kibby vol. 2. We have today just received news of the DNA sequence from her material, which shows no exact matches known but the nearest is indeed Contumyces rosellus, a species with under 30 UK records and new to the county. However, the match is not that close (hence C. aff. rosellus) and it may turn out in time to be a species new to science or at any rate new to the UK. We now have a second collection of this species, the sequence of which exactly matches Joanna's Brill collection, and found on Stampwell Farm near Beaconsfield by Jackie Ewan, also dated Oct 4th.
	Coprinellus disseminatus (Fairy Inkcap) Aug 19, 2023. In Rushbeds Wood on a mossy old trunk Penny spotted a swarm of small mushrooms and, having had this species coming up in her Oxfordshire garden for weeks, was not surprised to find it here today. Photo 2 shows more on the other side of the trunk. She did, however, just wonder if it might be worth checking for the extremely similar but uncommon Psathyrella pygmaea - the two can grow together in mixed clumps like this but P. pygmaea has very different micro-characters. No such luck! She realised once at home because the specimens collected had already started to deliquesce! Oct 5, 2022. At Whiteleaf Cross Penny found a large swarm of tiny Inkcaps growing out of the rotting wooden sleepers surrounding the car park and displaying their pale beige colour when young in contrast to the typical grey when mature. Oct 8, 2021. This was the second Inkcap species on show on the sleepers at the Whiteleaf Cross carpark found by Penny. The largest mature caps seen here were about 1cm across, the smallest were tiny. There were many swarms of them coming up through the cracks in the wood but the species is just as happy on deciduous roots forming large colonies around dead stumps etc. Jul 8, 2021. In Rushbeds Wood Joanna Dodsworth found quite a few different fungi beginning to fruit as well as this nice colony of Inkcaps. This is a common species associated with rotting wood or submerged roots, and comes up at any time of year when conditions are suitable, often in very large numbers. Another common name for the species is Crumble Caps, perhaps reflecting the speed - just a day or so - with which they appear, develop and then quickly disappear again, this being a notable feature of the genus. May 22, 2021. Joanna came across this attractive clump of little Inkcaps on Brill Common amongst the moss and ivy on an old deciduous stump. This common species will come up sometimes in impressively large numbers at any time of year given suitably damp conditions and some rotting woody remains. To recognise it note the rather flat topped cap with rather straight sides - it's a bit like a mini Glistening Inkcap. Sep 8, 2020. Penny Cullington found this large troop of fruitbodies growing between the sleepers in the car park at Whiteleaf Cross. The species is common and is often to be found in large numbers on or around stumps or buried wood. It has the appearance of a Mycena (Bonnet) but note the dark gills, a feature of all Inkcaps, in contrast to the white gills of Bonnets.
	Coprinellus domesticus (Firerug Inkcap) Mar 29, 2021. Joanna Dodsworth found this collection growing in grassy soil on Brill Common and was in doubt as to the possible genus. Being fairly sure it was an Inkcap, Penny asked for Derek's opinion and, thinking that it might possibly be something quite special he decided to make a fresh collection from Brill. Unfortunately it turned out to be not that special but still a nice find as we have only 5 previous county records and a new name for out list.
	Coprinellus hiascens (an Inkcap with no common name) Sep 29, 2022. In an old pig pen at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this pair of small Inkcaps growing in soil. She identified the species at home using microscopic characters as well as the fact that both stem and cap were finely hairy. Penny showed her photo to Derek, passing on Jackie's various observations, and he was happy that it was indeed this species. It occurs occasionally and we have records from several Bucks sites with one previous. Penny Cullington found this collection growing in rotting grassy litter at Turville Heath. There are many Inkcaps which look very similar to this species, therefore a scope is always necessary to confirm the identification (in fact Penny thought this was probably a different species till the spores and cells on the cap were checked at home later). It is included here as an example of this type of Inkcap.
	Coprinellus impatiens (an Inkcap with no common name) Oct 6, 2022. In grassy litter under the Limes at Turville Heath Penny first spotted just a couple of these and then a whole load more nearby. She suspected it was this species, recalling Derek likening the caps to piano keys, but made a careful check at home as there are several other quite similar species. Nov 6, 2020. On first spotting this pretty little Inkcap growing in soil /woody litter in Burnham Beeches, Penny C. suspected it was a species of Parasola from its cap shape and thin flesh. The cap was about 2 cm across and on collection, however, it didn't quite have the Parasola 'jizz' being a bit too grey over all, so it was a case of careful microscopic examination followed by working through a key to arrive at a name. It was comforting to read the comment that this species can appear similar to Parasola; it is quite a common woodland Inkcap though not one nameable in the field.
	Coprinellus micaceus (Glistening Inkcap) Jul 21, 2023. At Mousells Wood Penny found this clump on a wooded pathside bank, then checked the spore shape and noted the cap was suitably covered in tiny flecks of veil confirming its identity though these were not visible in the field. See the Masterlist for further examples. Mar 25, 2023. On a Birch stump in a flooded area of Stoke Common Penny was quite surprised to find this species freshly fruiting though recent rains had removed signs of the 'glistening' veil often visible on the cap and from which the species derives its common name. Apr 18, 2021. Joanna Dodsworth found this nice fresh material in woody litter at the base of a deciduous stump in Rushbeds Wood. Despite the recent night frosts it appears to be in good condition and is a species which can be found at any time given suitable damp woody remains - Rushbeds tends to retain its dampness well having underlying clay. Mar 12, 2021. Claire Williams noticed this nice fresh cluster of Inkcaps in Beech litter in Hughendon Woods but was unsure if they were the common Glistening Inkcap or perhaps a different species. Penny, however, feels just about confident enough to name them without a proper check of the spores etc because the close-up photo 2 shows the telltale white veil flecks on the cap which give the species its common name. See also Finds 2020 Sept 11th and Oct 13th for more examples. Sep 11, 2020. This was found by Penny Cullington in Kingswood, Tylers Green, and is probably the commonest of all the Inkcaps. It grows on or very near wood or roots and the 'glistening' in the name comes from the tiny flecks of white (called veil) which cover the upper cap surface though rain often washes them off. Note the typical striations (fine grooves) which characterise the cap and the dark gills (less dark in the younger specimens). Like many Inkcaps, if collected in a pot it will turn into a black inky mess in a few hours, a process called deliquessing. Oct 13, 2020. We have a photo of this species dated Sept 11th, but this young collection found by Paul Goby in woody litter in Naphill Common is such a good example of the species that it's worth including again. Here one can see the reason for the 'glistening' effect referred to in the common name, caused by the tiny flecks of veil - like icing sugar - which coat the cap surface when young and fresh. However, they tend to disappear later which makes identity in the field more problematic as there are other very similar Inkcaps with which the species can then be confused.
	Coprinellus radians (an Inkcap with no common name) Dec 19, 2021. In Dorney Wetlands on the edge of a bonfire site Russell Ness found this Inkcap just emerging and took it home to work on. His tentative identification was then confirmed by Derek referring to Russell's notes and microphotos, though the species is part of a complex which is still in need of further DNA work - there may be more species involved here. We have just 3 previous county records, so yet another nice find a food detective work by Russell.
	Coprinellus xanthothrix (an Inkcap with no common name) Jun 28, 2023. On an old bonfire site at Turville Heath Penny found several interesting species - the site has been amazingly productive for months. Still fruiting abundantly was Peziza petersii (see 2023 April 15th) and also this Inkcap which has been popping up here on and off there though there seems to be no reference to its occurrence on burnt sites in the literature. This is quite a common species - one that Derek often identifies for us, and has plenty of veil on the cap, seen particularly clearly on the old somewhat dried specimen in photo 2. Our only previous Finds entry is an earlier collection from this site. Apr 15, 2023. At Turville Heath on the edge of a large burnt site Penny found this Inkcap in woody debris. Noting the clear veil remnants on the cap and recalling that this species was found recently on our Rushbeds Wood Walk when identified by Derek, Penny suspected it was the same and the micro-details confirmed it though it was already showing signs of deliquescing by the time she got home! Though not at all rare, this is a new entry for Finds
	Coprinopsis acuminata (Humpback Inkcap) Nov 2, 2022. In Naphill Common Paul Goby came across this rather pictureque clump of inkcaps, looking like miniature cowboy hats or even pixie hats! The species is extremely similar to C. atramentaria (Common Inkcap) and no doubt often mistaken for it, the only visible difference being the rather more elongated and pointed, less rounded caps. The spores of the two species are also slightly different but these were not able to be checked today. This happens to be a first for Finds though C. atramentaria can be found via the Masterlist for comparison with today's photo.
	Coprinopsis atramentaria (Common inkcap) Oct 5, 2022. At Whiteleaf Cross Penny checked the rotting sleepers around the edge of the car park and was not surprised to find there quantities of this large Inkcap in various stages of development. Oct 8, 2021. In the carpark at Whiteleaf Cross Penny found the long row of sleepers was providing the substrate for two different Inkcaps, one very small (see below) and in contrast this very large species with caps up to 7 cm x 7 cm. There were many clumps ranging from those just pushing through the grassy edge to full maturity being the dripping inky stage, thus providing the opportunity to illustrate this common species. Sep 19, 2020. This collection was found growing in grass at Penn Wood by Penny Cullington. Quite a large Inkcap (the largest caps here were about 5 cm across), it quickly matures and then deliquesces (dissolves into a black mess). The two older fruit bodies either side were well passed their sell-by date and left Penny's hands suitably black.
	Coprinopsis cinerea (Grey Inkcap) Jul 28, 2023. On a dung heap at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan saw these Inkcaps appearing in good numbers and sent her photos to Derek who suggested the ID. This checked out with spore size together with the swollen stem base with long root - clearly visible in the smaller specimens in photo 3. We have just a handful of records from three other sites, all from dung heaps, though the species is not considered that unusual. This is a new entry for Finds.
	Coprinopsis echinospora (Warty Inkcap) Jan 7, 2022. On our Naphill Common Walk back in October this species was collected and identified by Derek, who then inoculated some sterilised woodchip with the remnants of the specimen in the hope of producing more fruitbodies. Nothing happened for two months but he was rewarded with fruiting throughout December (photos 1-3). He says it has just about finished now but he is hopeful that more (or something different) might appear at any time!This is not a common Inkcap with only two previous records prior to the find at Naphill. The common name refers to its very unusual warty spores which, however, make it an easy Inckap to identify with a scope.
	Coprinopsis ephemeroides (an inkcap with no common name) Nov 6, 2020. Russell Ness certainly needed sharp eyes to spot this uncommon tiny species growing on pony dung in Burnham Beeches. Caps don't exceed 5 mm across and are so thin fleshed they are virtually transparent. There are many species of Inkcap and indeed other genera which grow in dung, some equally tiny as today's species, but the diagnostic feature to spot in the field, as Russell did, is the fact that there is an infinitesimal ring on the stem, clearly visible in both photos. Derek was happy to confirm the identification from Russell's photo, this being just the fourth time it's been found in the county. However, we've now received a slightly earlier photo (photo 3) sent in by Barry Webb, dated October 12th, making Russell's find the 5th county record!
	Coprinopsis friesii (an Inkcap with no common name) Jun 28, 2021. In his lawn at home in Burnham Russell Ness found these tiny Inkcaps, the caps being no more than 7 mm tall. He noted that they 'deliquesced' very quickly (a feature of the species) and checked the microscopy including spores and the veil (which can be seen as a light dusting on the cap surface) to confirm the identification. Derek was able to confirm Russell's identification through his emailed microphotos and says this is a common species which grows in dead and dying grass stems. However, we have only a few county records from just three other sites, so this was a nice find.
	Coprinopsis lagopus (Hare'sfoot Inkcap) Aug 31, 2024. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this patch of nice fresh Inkcaps coming up in some woodchip. The English name refers to the species when at this attractive immature furry stage though it only takes a day or so before the fruitbodies look very different (as seen in the two lower fruitbodies with stems which have rather collapsed). Sep 7, 2023. In a grassy clearing in woodland at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan spotted this Inkcap showing both immature and mature specimens, though at the rapid rate this species deliquesces they were probably not that far apart in terms of time - maybe less that 24 hours. Useful here to have images of both stages (photos 1 and 2), the younger example showing from where the species gets its common name. Photos 3 and 4 were sent in by Richard Donnelly a week later from a woodchip pile by the Thames near Bourne End. When on woodchip the species can often fruit prolifically like this - Richard commented on over 100 specimens! Jul 9, 2023. At Rushbeds Wood, now nicely damp, Penny found this delicate species fruiting in grassy path edges. Easily recognisable when often plentiful in woodchip piles where there are immature furry specimens (hence its common name), the species also occurs in soil in woodland glades though then needs checking as there are plenty of other similar Inkcaps it might be. Photo 3 shows the typical whispy white veil remnants which under a scope are like strings of chipolatas and together with its spores help to distinguish it. Jun 12, 2022. In a woodchip pile at Naphill Common Claire Williams found this species, obviously having been stirred into action by the recent rain. The common name refers to its appearance when young before the cap has expanded when still covered in copious grey fluffy veil, the remnants of which can be seen on several caps here. The species is very partial to woodchip, forming clusters as here, but also occurs singly in soil in woodland rides. (This id was not confirmed with microscopy so is not 100%.) Oct 7, 2021. In Rushbeds Wood Penny found quite a few of these delicate Inkcaps growing in soil in the grassy rides and although she could see plenty of veil on the caps - a feature of this but also of many other Inkcaps, she knew the species often occurs in large numbers on woodchip piles but was not at all sure it occurred in soil as here. At home it seemed to key out to C. lagopus but she asked Derek to check it for her a few days later (when dried) and he confirmed it and the substrate as not that unusual either. The long stringy strands of veil are apparent in photo 2. Nov 17, 2020. We have photos of well developed fruit bodies of this Inkcap (dated Oct 1st) but not of young specimens which at this stage are the reason for its common name. So when Penny C. spotted these on the same woodchip pile in Turville Heath as our first collection, she thought it would be worth including. Typical when just emerging are these pale grey fluffy oblongs which soon develop a long stem and expand into the mature fruit body. The whole process takes probably no more than a couple of days or so before it gets to the inky mess stage. Oct 1, 2020. This delicate and clearly mature Inkcap was found in grassy soil at Turville Heath by Penny Cullington. This is a species which starts out looking entirely different: an oblong enclosed acorn shape with a dense covering of whitish fluffy fibrils, hence the common name. (See photo 3 which shows an earlier stage, found by Penny in Rushbeds Wood on November 9th - not her greatest photo but at least it shows some of the fluffy veil still on the cap.) As seen in photos 1 and 2, it's not long before it withers and deliquesces into an inky mess, but it did last long enough for Penny to find the microscopic details at home to confirm the identification. A common Inkcap found in woodland litter, often also on woodchip.
	Coprinopsis mitrispora (an unusual Inkcap with no common name) Nov 17, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Mario Tortelli and Jim Wills found this Inkcap emerging around the edge of a fallen deciduous log. Previously known as C. spelaiophila, this occasional species occurs in wounds of deciduous trunks often within a cavity, usually singly, and less often on logs as here. There seems to be some doubt over the spelling of its species name (with the central 'i' replaced by 'ae') but here we follow Index Fungorum. The common name refers to the spores which are shaped like a bishop's mitre. This is a new species for Finds and for Burnham Beeches though we have records from a handful of other county sites. The photo in Mario's.
	Coprinopsis picacea (Magpie Inkcap) Dec 4, 2024. Whilst enjoying a warming drink in the Burnham Beeches cafe, Jesper Launder noticed this attractive cluster nestling against the fence! Somewhat late in the season for this species, it was much admired by our group. The photo is Sarah Ebdon's. Aug 23, 2023. In Mousells Wood Geoffrey Kibby spotted this beauty standing proud of the Beech litter though the dappled sunlight was not conducive to the best photo here (Penny's). This was the first time they'd seen it fruiting this year. Oct 6, 2021. On a visit to King's Wood Tylers Green Penny found her first Magpie Fungus of the season. A very distinctive mushroom, this was extremely common in many woodlands last autumn so it remains to be seen if it will be this year as well. Jan 23, 2021. In Downley Wood today Claire Williams spotted this somewhat unseasonal Inkcap in deciduous litter. This is a species which was much in evidence last Autumn and Claire says she'd noticed it again at this site in late December so was on the look out for it. Probably quite an unusual find for frosty weather in January! Oct 7, 2020. We do already have an example of this species (dated Sept 15) but Sarah Ebdon's two specimens found in Bradenham Wood are worth including here. See comments on the previous find for more, but note here the tall stem and how the cap edges are curling up to reveal the gills beginning to deliquesce. By the next day there would be nothing remaining except possibly the stem and a black smelly puddle beneath! Sep 15, 2020. This is perhaps our largest and most distinctive Inkcap in appearance and was found by Toni Standing in deciduous litter in Bradenham Wood. The common name is apt, describing the large white patches of veil which adhere to the dark cap beneath, and it has a thick sturdy stem with a somewhat swollen base, also a very nasty smell. By the next day the cap would have been deliquescing with drops of black 'ink' dripping from its upturned cap margin.
	Coprinopsis pseudonivea (Aromatic Inkcap) Nov 4, 2024. In grassland at Burnham Beeches Penny noticed this species on some pony dung and recognised it from its thick whitish veil but with a pink tinge particularly in the centre. There are two medium sized very similar Inkcaps found on dung, the commonest being the pure white C. nivea (Snowy Inkcap), but in recent years this more unusual species having a pinkish cap has been becoming much more prevalent (or maybe we're more aware of its existence now?). Certainly at the Beeches it seems to be commoner of the two species. Sep 26, 2024. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this Inkcap on a piece of dung, then retained and incubated the piece for a few days and sure enough a nice fresh fruitbody obliged (photo 3). The species is very close to the more common dung associating C. nivea (Snowy Inkcap) but has smaller spores and the characteristic thick coating of veil is not pure white but has a slightly cream pink tint as seen here. It was not known in the UK till 2006 but is now quite a common species. Oct 3, 2022. In the open grassy area near the car park in Burnham Beeches Penny noticed a couple of cowpats adorned with this distinctive Inkcap. Much more common on this substrate is the very similar but pure white capped C. nivea (Snowy Inkcap), however today's species has a definite pink tinge especially when immature and was first recorded in the UK from Pulpit Hill in 2007. Since then it appears to be on the increase and we have several records from various other Bucks sites. Dec 2, 2020. Adjacent to a patch of rotting cow dung in the Grangelands at Pulpit Hill Penny C. noticed these two tiny fruitbodies, the largest (less than 1 cm across) clearly displaying the characteristics of an Inkcap. Closer inspection revealed copious veil (like icing sugar) on the cap and she noticed the slightly pinkish tint to the unopened cap which instantly rang a bell, having found this particular species before. At home the veil cells and spores confirmed the identification. Close to the better known C. nivea (Snowy Inkcap) also found on cow dung, this species is far less commonly recorded and we have just a handful of county records though it was new to the site today.
	Coprinopsis radiata (an Inkcap with no common name) Nov 30, 2022. On a dung heap at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed these small Inkcaps coming up and then checked the microscopy. The photos were then sent to Derek to confirm the identification. The species is apparently common on rotting straw, dung heaps etc though we don't have that many county records and this is a first for Finds.
	Coprinopsis semitalis (an Inkcap with no common name) Nov 5, 2020. Whilst searching for fungi on a well rotted woodchip pile in Turville Heath, Penny C. noticed this pretty little Inkcap. Many of this genus are rather shortlived but luckily this one survived in tact long enough to work on at home. It stood about 6 cm high and the strongly campanulate cap was about 1 cm tall and covered in a thick layer of white veil which she knew would be key to identification. Sure enough together with various other microscopic details the veil cells confirmed the species, one for which we have only a few county records.
	Coprinopsis stercorea (an Inkcap with no common name) Oct 12, 2022. At Dancersend Barry Webb spotted these tiny little furry caps which were growing on unidentified old dung and took the photo. Later Derek was able to identify them, and this is a new species for the site and for Finds images with just three previous county records.
	Coprinus comatus (Shaggy Inkcap, Lawyer's Wig) Oct 11, 2024. This rather drab-looking cluster was found at Stampwell Farm by Jackie Ewan. The species tends to catch the eye when fresh, white and extremely woolly / shaggy but like many Inkcaps that stage is shortlived as the deliquescent stage sets in and can be seen just starting here with the wet black rim to the caps. Jul 28, 2023. In a grassy area adjacent to Salden Wood Bob Simpson noticed these distinctive mushrooms making an appearance. The common names being apt, the species is one of the easiest to recognise though - typical of Inkcaps - they are shortlived and in a day or so are reduced to a tall white stem with a black slimy splodge on top! None of our previous Finds images show this stage, however. Sep 23, 2022. At Stampwell Farm alongside a wooded path Jackie Ewan spotted this nice pair - one of very few Inkcaps still remaining in the genus Coprinus! When fully developed as it is here this is one of the most recogniseable species and the telltale deliquescing (dissolving into an inky mess) can be seen just starting at the cap base. Oct 11, 2021. Under the same nettle patch in a woodchip pile at Burnham Beeches Penny found this trio of very scaly caps just emerging. She guessed they were likely to turn into this species but kept them upright on damp kitchen roll in a pot outside to see if they would develop enough to confirm. This particular woodchip pile often produces rarities so she wanted to make sure she hadn't missed something special. Sure enough in a couple of days it had expanded and was starting to turn black and deliquesce - no doubt now! Sep 5, 2021. In his lawn at home (Salden Wood) Bob Simpson found this perfect specimen which apparently comes up from time to time in the same spot. One of less than a handful of Inkcaps still residing in this genus, it is easily recognised and very distinctive, like a white Grenadier Guard's busby, though is shortlived and by the next day all that is left is the stem and a black pool around it! Sep 16, 2020. Greg Douglas found this instantly recognisable Inkcap species growing in litter in Widmore Wood. The two apt common names describe it well though like many of the genus it quickly deteriorates and within 24 hours ends up as a black puddle! Oct 6, 2020. Joanna Dodsworth found this collection in grass at Wotton Park Estate, photos Penny Cullington. We also have a collection of this very common but attractive Inkcap dated Sept 16 but felt today's was worth including as it shows fruit bodies at different stages of development including the beginnings of deliquescing in the taller specimen (height 12 cm), typical of the genus.
	Coprinus sterquilinus (Midden Inkcap) Sep 25, 2021. In May Derek Schafer collected some Exmoor pony dung from Burnham Beeches with a view to culturing it to see what fungi appeared - this was part of our ongoing project funded by City of London Corporation, owners of the site. He was then delighted to see this very rare species emerging a few months later, new not only to the site but also to the county and placed as Vulnerable on the 2006 Red Data list. One of only four Inkcaps remaining in the original genus Coprinus when it was split into four, the similarity to the common C. comatus (Lawyer's Wig) is clear though it is smaller and occurs on dung rather than soil.
	Coprobia (= Cheilymenia) granulata (an Ascomycete with no common name) Name changed see - Cheilymenia granulata Nov 30, 2020. On a cowpat in the Mire at Burnham Beeches Penny C. found this swarm of little orange discs, each less than 5 mm across and lacking a stem or any hairs around the edge. Checking the microscopic characters at home confirmed this as a very common dung species, recently moved into the genus Cheilymenia.
	Cordyceps (Isaria) farinosa (a rare species of Caterpillarclub) Oct 1, 2021. In Hodgemoor Woods Barry Webb found this white club and, not having any idea what it was, posted his photo on Facebook where someone came up with the name (so the determination must remain slightly speculative). The genus Cordyceps is one that grows on pupating larvae of insects or butterflies / moths under the ground, somewhat gruesomely devouring them for nutrients before sending up the fruiting body. Once found, if you dig down it is often possible to uncover the unfortunate pupa with fungus in tact. This species is rare and new not only to the site but also to the county.
	Cordyceps militaris (Scarlet Caterpillarclub) Oct 3, 2024. At Burnham Beeches the sharp-eyed Gill Ferguson spotted a couple of these in the grass, this particular specimen being a double spike with even a third beginning to make an appearance. Underneath there will no doubt have been an unfortunate caterpillar larvae. The species is not rare but despite its bright colour is not easy to spot, often in grassy hedgerows. The photo was taken by Claire Williams. Nov 16, 2023. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this somewhat misshapen example in soil amongst Bracken, recognising it from our previous Finds entry on October 6th. If you find this parasitic fungus and then carefully dig down to its base, with luck you can reveal the host caterpillar on which it feeds and grows, killing its victim in the process! Oct 6, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Gill Ferguson found this unusual Ascomycete which though club-shaped is in no way related to the yellow grassland clubs which are Basidiomycetes. The genus Cordyceps gruesomely uses submerged pupae as host and, if / when you find one, with care it is possible to dig down to excavate the host an inch or more down with the fungus attached to it. This particular species is unmistakable with its bright orange colour (not really scarlet!) and granular surface, standing about 3-4 cms tall. It is occasional, usually found in grassy banks or path edges. We have just one previous Finds entry: 2020 November 6th. (The photo is Barry Webb's.) Nov 6, 2020. Barry Webb's sharp eyes noticed this unusual fungus in a grassy area in Burnham Beeches. Superficially similar in some respects to one of our grassland Clubs (Clavulinopsis), a closer look reveals a very different texture as well as colour. The upper half is roughened and punctate and below this the stalk is paler and smoother. This is an Ascomycete which grows out of the pupae of butterflies and if you find one and dig down carefully around it, you can often find the whole pupae to which the base of the stalk is attached, usually about an inch or two under the surface. (See photo 2 taken by Gill Ferguson at the same site last November which shows the unfortunate host having been carefully extricated in tact!) Not rare but easily overlooked, it is usually in grassland, lawns etc.
	Coriolopsis gallica (an unusual bracket with no common name) Jun 24, 2023. In Gerrards Cross on an unidentified log Jesper Launder noticed two different brackets: one he was able to identify as Trametes hirsuta (see below) but the other he was unsure of though it was somewhat similar. It resembled T. gallica, now in genus Coriolopsis, but he knew of another species which also matched it closely though only recently added to the UK list: Trametes trogii. On consulting expert Martyn Ainsworth he learnt that a useful difference to separate the two is the white context above the pores when torn open in T. trogii but coloured context in C. gallica (see photo 2). We have only one previous county record, from Langley Park identified by Martyn back in 2008, so this is another new species for Finds.
	Cortinarius alboviolaceus (Pearly Webcap) Set 16, 2020. This young collection was just emerging under Beech at Hodgemoor Wood, found by Jesper Launder. This is one of the trickiest and largest genera with over 600 species known in the UK and many more still to be identified. Relatively few are nameable in the field but this is one, being evenly bluish white all over with a silky dry cap. Note the meshlike 'cortina' joining cap to stem in the middle specimen but just breaking away on the LH specimen to reveal the rusty gills and spores. If cut open this species has violaceous flesh throughout. It is uncommon and found in mixed deciduous woodland.
	Cortinarius albocyaneus (a Webcap with no common name) Nov 3, 2023. In deep Beech litter in Pullingshill Wood Penny found this collection of Webcaps belonging to Section Telamonia in various states of development. To determine this genus to species it is essential to have at least one really young example to judge both the veil colour and gill colour at this stage - without this one might as well give up! Photo 1 shows clearly the white veil and violaceous gills though when more mature (photo 2) the gills are already browner and the veil has all but gone. The species has a raphanoid smell and is not that common, occurring with Birch and Beech also with Helianthemum. We have only one or two county records and this is new to Finds.
	Cortinarius amoenolens (Blueleg Webcap) Oct 21, 2022. Under Beech in Gussett's Wood Penny found this nice collection of what seems to be one of our commonest Webcaps in the Chilterns, one of the sticky-capped but dry-stemmed Phlegmaceum group. Many of these favour our calcareous Beechwoods ad the pale brown cap and violacous gills and stem flesh are distinctive in this particular species. Sep 24, 2020. This collection was found under Beech in Mousells Wood by Penny Cullington. One of two Webcaps from section Phlegmacium to be fruiting under Beech here today, this species is not a rarity but still exciting to find. Displaying many characters typical of these particular Webcaps (see notes under C. caesiocortinatus) it has a brown cap with violaceous tinted gills when young (though later these turn rusty brown), but gets its common name from the flesh inside the stem which is also violaceous (seen here in a mature specimen).
	Cortinarius anomalus (Variable Webcap) Oct 6, 2021. In Kings Wood Tylers Green Penny found a cluster of this quite common Webcap just coming up in mixed deciduous litter. This is an enormous genus and this species is a member of the Telamonia group of Webcaps, many of which are extremely difficult to separate and very often remain unnamed except by a few skilled mycologists (of which Penny does not consider herself one!). There are, however, a few common species which with experience can be named, this being one. The pale dry silky cap with buff grey colours having a violet tinge especially when young and the flesh turning violet when exposed to air (I omitted to do this in the field but checked it later at home) are the features to look for. Note the cortina (weblike mesh) still in tact in the young specimen (photo 2) - the feature which gives the genus its name. Oct 5, 2020. Penny Cullington found this fairly common Webcap under Beech in Common Wood. A species which belongs to the large and difficult Telamonia group, it is recognisable by its palish grey brown slightly streaky cap with violacous hints when young, rather crowded gills which are bluish lilac when young, and a stem which is whitish with violaceous tones at the top and yellowish below. Cutting it open the cap flesh and top of stem is clearly violet and it has a rather nauseous smell.
	Cortinarius anthracinicolor (a very rare Webcap with no common name) Nov 17, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Mario Tortelli was delighted to discover this extremely rare Webcap under mixed deciduous trees. A member of Section Telamonia, it is very similar in appearance to C. anthracinus (see the entry below) but has one striking difference: it has a smell remarkably similar to Hebeloma sacchariolens, ie of burnt sugar / aromatic which is unique amongst the Webcaps, many of which have an amazing range of extraordinary smells. (In comparison C. anthracinus is odourless.) The species is not only new to the county but there are no FRDBI records though it has apparently been found in southern England previously. This collection has now been confirmed with sequencing.
	Cortinarius anthracinus (a Webcap with no common name) Nov 17, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Mario Tortelli and Jim Wills found this quite rare Webcap under mixed deciduous trees, Mario recognising it instantly from its distinctive deep rusty reddish to purple cap colour. A member of Section Telamonia, it occurs under both conifers and deciduous trees but was new to this site today though we have records from just a couple of other county sites, notably 6 records from Hodgemoor Woods. See also in Finds 2020 October 22nd and 2021 November 3rd. The photo is Mario's. Nov 3, 2021. In Hodgemoor Woods under mixed deciduous trees and in mossy litter, these very dark caps were spotted by Paul and then recognised by Penny. Not a common species but with a handful records from this site (only one from elsewhere), this is a member of the dreaded Section Telamonia of Webcaps which many mycologists understandably pass by as being impossible to identify. A few, however, have features distinctive enough to allow a suggested name which then needs checking with spores etc later. As its common name suggests, this small species has a cap almost black like coal in the centre but purplish red-brown towards the pale margin, the gills and stem being similarly coloured. It favours Beech and Oak but can also occur under conifers but is nowhere very common. Oct 22, 2020. Penny C. spotted this small species under Birch and Oak in Hodgemoor Woods. This is an uncommon small Webcap with a notably dark cap, almost black in the centre but paler purplish red at the margin. It was well camouflaged amongst the woodland litter with Beech, Oak and Birch all nearby. We have just a few previous records of the species from this site, also one from Rushbeds Wood.
	Cortinarius azureovelatus (Yellow capped Webcap) Aug 15, 2023. At Stampwell Farm under Oak Jackie Ewan spotted these Webcaps coming up in several places including where we found them last year on our Walk there, a collection of which was confirmed with sequencing. The species is from Section Telamonia belonging to the C. anomalus complex and would probably have been named as that until the sequencing era which has revealed several species within that complex, this being one of them and probably common though as yet with few records. A week later Penny and Geoffrey Kibby found it again at Mousells Wood though under Beech and still at the button stage (photo 4). This is a new entry for Finds but is also included in Penny's Stampwell Farm report 2022 October 22nd.
	Cortinarius basililaceus (a Webcap with no common name) Aug 14, 2023. Under Oak in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found this unusual Webcap belonging to section Telamonia the most challenging section of the genus to identify. A species new to Penny too, it apparently favours wet areas under Oak and is distinguished from other lookalikes by having widely spaced gills and a subtly violaceous finely furry base to the stem which though not very distinct in his photos was clearly visible to Jesper on collection. A week later Penny was pleased to find it for herself at Naphill Common, recognising it by its violaceous tomentum (see the upturned stems in photo 3) though like Jesper she found her camera sadly failed to pick up this beautiful and subtle colour. So we now have two county records and this is a new entry for Finds.
	Cortinarius bergeronii (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 11, 2023.Under Beech in Marlow Common Penny found good examples of two different Webcaps - both of which have been sequenced from this same spot in recent years. C. bergeronii seen here is an impressive member of Section Phlegmacium (with a sticky cap but dry stem), pretty well identical to C. elegantissimus though a bit smaller and with smaller spores. Both associate with Beech in calcareous soil and the cap is pinkish orange brown in the centre but yellow around the margin. The bulbous stem is greenish yellow as are the gills at first (then rusty), and when young it has a striking thick white cobweb-like veil (seen in the RH specimen). When cut the flesh is pale violet in cap and upper stem and a drop of KOH turns instantly deep blood red on the cap (seen in the larger central cap here). Penny's found it in this spot several times since 2016 though at first named it C. elegantissimus until the presence of this second species, probably more common around here, was brought to our notice. Photo 2 is of a collection from Burnham Beeches found by Russell Ness just three day later. Oct 20, 2021. Under Beech in Gussets Wood Penny was pleased to find this beautiful and substantial Webcap. It belongs to Section Phlegmaceum (ie Webcaps with sticky caps but dry stems, often large and with swollen or platform stem bases) and there are two almost identical large species found in calcareous Beech woodland, both rare and with yellow caps and gills and swollen stem bases, and both with the same blood red reaction when a drop of KOH is added to the cap surface (see photo 3). Only the spore size (or a DNA test) will separate them, as Penny found out when finding the other species, C. elegantissimus, the following day! (See also C. elegantissimus dated Oct 21.) Oct 5, 2020. Jesper Launder found this impressive species in Jordans Village under Beech, identified by Geoffrey Kibby. It is a member of the sticky capped Phlegmacium group and extremely similar to C. elegantissimus which also goes blood red if you add a drop of the chemical KOH on the cap, as seen here on the larger cap. To split the two species you need to check the spore size - considerably smaller in today's species. It is seldom recorded but little known and much more recently described than C. elegantissimus.
	Cortinarius bolaris (Dappled Webcap) Aug 16, 2023. In Lott's Wood under Beech Jackie Newcombe found these beauties, not rare but one of few Webcaps nameable with confidence in the field. The common name describes the cap texture aptly and for further confirmation the yellow staining where damaged or handled adds to the effect. See also in Finds 2020 October 22nd. Oct 22, 2020. Knowing that this species was starting to fruit, Penny and Paul C. went to Hodgemoor Woods to a previous area known to them and were rewarded with good numbers of this striking Webcap - one recognisable in the field from the cap colours and yellow staining of the stem when handled. The blotchy effect on the cap is characteristic (hence the common name), as are the reddish scales on the stem, seen in photo 3 where the yellow staining is also apparent. Quite a common Webcap under deciduous trees in the Chilterns.
	Cortinarius caesiocortinatus (No common name) Sep 24, 2020. This stunning collection was the find of the day for Penny Cullington at Mousells Wood under Beech. This typical Chiltern Beech woodland has produced several exciting species in the last few years, particularly from the genus Cortinarius section Phlegmacium to which this species belongs. Identification, with the aid of a scope and some help from colleague Mario Tortelli, was confirmed by the yellow KOH reaction of the flesh and the spore shape. Note the wide platform-like volva at the base and fine cortina (cobwebby mesh) in the young specimen, both features typical of this section of an enormous genus together with the sticky cap. New to the county with only a few UK records.
	Cortinarius collocandoides (Bruising Webcap) Oct 23, 2023. Under Oak in Chalfont St. Peter Jesper Launder found this chunky Webcap belonging to Section Phlegmacium. It has a brownish sticky cap, gills which are strongly violet when young though later turn rusty, and a dry clavate stem. If scratched the stem shows purple flesh and if sliced the flesh throughout in violaceous. This is the commonest of several very similar species found under Oak and Beech and both spore size and stem base shape are critical features in separating them. Sep 15, 2020. Our first Webcap of the season, this beautiful fungus was found under Beech in Moorend Common by Margaret Bolton where it comes up every year and has been previously identified by expert Geoffrey Kibby. Note the rusty spores of the genus visible both on the mature gills and where they've typically fallen onto the stem, also the 'cortina' (weblike mesh of fibrils) which join the cap to the stem before it expands - visible in the very young specimens. Finally note the purple stem flesh of this species when damaged (hence the name 'bruising') and visible in the largest upright specimen.
	Cortinarius croceocoeruleus (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 10, 2023. In Pullingshill Wood Noel Murray spotted these small beautiful blue-lilac caps amongst the Beech litter and successfully recognised the genus but not the species - no shame there, this genus is enormous and one of the trickiest too. Luckily this is a species Penny knows and is also a regular at this site too. A member of Section Myxacium (with sticky caps and stems) it is small for the genus and only found under Beech in calcareous soil. Photo 2 is Penny's when she visited the same spot the following day. Both images were confirmed by Geoffrey Kibby. See another image in Finds 2021 October 15th taken a few hundred yards from today's spot. Oct 15, 2021. In Marlow Common Penny was pleased to find this beautiful but small Webcap coming up in soil under Beech - its host tree. This is a very sticky species, belonging to the Webcap group known as Myxacium characterised by slimy caps and stems, and caps are this lovely purplish blue and gills are pale till coloured by. the maturing rusty spores.This site is one of just five where we've recorded it.
	Cortinarius croceus (Saffron Webcap) Oct 16, 2020. Alison Peace found this beautiful and quite unusual Webcap in mossy Beech litter in Burnham Beeches (photo Claudi Soler). This is a member of the Dermocybe group of Webcaps which have dry silky caps, and is recognised by its amazing yellow gills and stem. However, there is another almost identical species, found new to Britain from this same spot two years ago, and only separable from C. croceus in the field with a chemical test. See also C. huronensis var olivaceus found again here, dated Oct 19!
	Cortinarius daulnoyae (Strapping Webcap) Oct 11, 2024. Near Burnham Beeches under Hornbeam Jesper Launder spotted these mushrooms and as he approached he noticed a strong unpleasant chemical smell akin to that of the white smelly Tricholoma species. Thinking at first it was a Webcap in Section Telamonia he failed to key it out, then after further research tried the key for Section Phlegmacium with instant success! All features fitted, including the immature pale lilac specimen (photo 3), the somewhat contorted shape when older and of course this remarkable smell. There, however, appears to be only one previous UK record so this is a very rare species here and an exciting find. The material will be sequenced.
	Cortinarius delibutus (Yellow Webcap) Oct 31, 2021. In Egypt Woods Russell Ness found this occasional Webcap, one that associates with Birch. It is a graceful species belonging in Section Myxacium (having sticky to slimy caps and stems) and the cap tends to be a pale cream to buff greyish shade of yellow, the gills are violaceous at first but soon rusty, the stem is violaceous at the top (seen here) but below this yellowish, the whole fruitbody being sticky and in wet weather decidedly slimy.
	Cortinarius elegantissimus (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 21, 2021. In Mousells Wood under Beech Penny found several different Webcaps, this site being notable for rare and interesting species. The first was almost identical to one she'd found the previous day at Gussets Wood so she suspected todays would prove to be C. bergeronii once more (see photos and text for that species dated Oct 20th to save repetition of the same comments!). At home a careful check of the spores of both collections was made, and there was no doubt that they differed in size, making the Mousells Wood collection yet another rare species.
	Cortinarius flabellus (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 18, 2020. Penny C. found this collection under Sweet Chestnut at Pullingshill Wood, identified the next day by Geoffrey Kibby. A small member of the Telamonia group, it has a bright brown cap with a white margin and is covered in fine white hairs which show up as it dries. It can be found in large troups under various deciduous trees and is quite common.
	Cortinarius geniculatus (a Webcap with no common nameand new to the UK) Oct 21, 2022. In Gussett's Wood under Beech Penny found an attractive group of chestnut brown capped Webcaps belonging to the difficult group of the genus known as Telamonia (with dry caps and stems). Knowing she was meeting up with Cortinarius guru Geoffrey Kibby in the next few days, she sent him her photo and kept the collection to show him. He tentatively named it C. leiocastaneus but was not certain as this was a species only recently added to the British list through DNA sequencing. Penny then sent a sample for sequencing and results (confirmed independently by DNA experts Eric Janke and Kare Liimatainen) show that this is yet another species new to Britain. The material and photo will be sent to the Kew Fungarium.
	Cortinarius hemitrichus (Frosty Webcap) Nov 9, 2021. In a grassy glade under Birch at Burnham Beeches Penny found just two specimens of this fairly common Webcap, one belonging to Section Telamonia but with a distinctive cap markings making it recognisable in the field. It is quite small, the cap can be pointed when young but later more rounded, and is grey brown with fine greyish flecks (ie frosted) particularly in the outer half - hence hemitrichus meaning half hairy. The gills are quite pale for the genus and it is host specific to Birch. Oct 22, 2020. Penny C. found this collection fruiting in grass in Hodgemoor Woods under Birch with which it is host specific. Rather a nondescript Webcap of medium size and a greyish cap and rusty gills typical of the genus. However, looking with care at the cap surface one can see fine short white hairs which give it a frosty appearance, hence it common name. Quite a common species given it's tree host.
	Cortinarius heterodepressus (a Webcap new to the UK) Nov 5th, 2023. On our BFG visit to Stoke Common we found several species of Webcap, two of which were of special note - both from Section Telamonia and collected by Jesper Launder who attempted their ID using the new Kibby & Tortelli monograph. Not surprisingly - as neither species were included therein - he arrived at the nearest possible names for both, recognising that sequencing was needed to confirm. Six months later we have the result, giving us two new species for the ever-lengthening UK list of Cortinarius. Congratulations to Jesper.
	Cortinarius hinnuleoarmillatus (A Webcap with no common name) Sep 28, 2020. Penny Cullington found this collection growing in a grassy path edge near Hazel and Willow in Rushbeds Wood. See comments for C. lacustris (a very similar species, dated Sept 26th) for some background information about the Telamonia section of this genus. Comparing the photos here with that of C. lacustris, note the different rings on the stem: white and thin in C. lacustris but notably large and orange in this new species with the orange continuing down the stem below the ring - an almost unique feature. DNA testing has now confirmed this determination so both this species and Rhodocybe fumanellii, found within a few yards of each other on the same day, can now officially be included on the British list. What a day!
	Cortinarius hinnuleus (Earthy Webcap) Sep 28, 2024. At Turville Heath Penny found a fresh collection of this quite unusual Webcap coming up in its regular spot under Lime where she's found it for the last few years. She was pleased to be able to get confirmation of her ID from Mario Tortelli the next day at Hodgemoor Wood as there are several species close to this one (all members of the notoriously tricky Section Telamonia) which also have these widely spaced gills and an earthy smell. Aug 31, 2023. At Turville Heath Penny noticed this fairly uncommon Webcap just coming up under the same Lime tree where she's found for several years. Previously here it's fruited in late September or early October but many species are really early in our area this year. Recognised by its notably widely spaced gills and white 'sock' on the stem when young, it has a pervasive earthy unpleasant smell and can occur under several different deciduous trees. Oct 6, 2022. Under Lime at Turville Heath Penny was pleased to find a few of these appearing where she's found them for the last 2 years. The species has notably widely spaced gills, a dry rather wrinkled umbonate tawny brown cap and a dry stem with a distinct whitish cortina. It also has a rather unpleasant earthy pungent smell (somewhat similar to several white-capped species of Tricholoma) which develops strongly when a collection is placed in a pot. Oct 12, 2021. At Turville Heath in soil in the Lime avenue Penny found this Webcap, a member of the Telamonia group, many of which are notoriously difficult to identify but this one with experience can be recognised in the field. It has particularly notable widely spaced cinnamon gills and a distinctive smell: earthy, of vegetation, even of DDT. Considered not that common, it favours calcareous soil and is one we find fairly regularly in the Chiltern area. Sep 30, 2020. This was found growing under Lime, one of its known host trees, at Turville Heath by Penny Cullington. Not rare but probably under-recorded as very few Webcaps belonging to the large and difficult group Telamonia are nameable, thus many mycologists tend to pass them by. It is interesting that in the last few days three related Telamonia Webcaps have turned up, all belonging to the Hinnulei complex now sorted out with DNA. This complex shares the notably widely spaced orangy gills and earthy smell, and today's species has a particularly pungent earthy smell (hence the common name) and occurs under several deciduous trees. Compare with C. lacustris (dated Sept 27th) and C. hinnuleoarmillatus (dated Sept 28th) both considerable rarities.
	Cortinarius huronensis var. olivaceus (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 16, 2020. Alison Peace found this beautiful and quite unusual Webcap in mossy Beech litter in Burnham Beeches (photo Claudi Soler). This is a member of the Dermocybe group of Webcaps which have dry silky caps, and is recognised by its amazing yellow gills and stem. However, there is another almost identical species, found new to Britain from this same spot two years ago, and only separable from C. croceus in the field with a chemical test. See also C. huronensis var olivaceus found again here, dated Oct 19! Oct 19, 2020. Penny C. found this very rare species in the same mossy glade in Burnham Beeches where it was first discovered for Britain two years ago by Mario Tortelli (also present today with Geoffrey Kibby - both Cortinarius experts). It is almost indistinguishable from C. croceus, another member of the Dermocybe group of Webcaps having dry silky caps (see photo dated Oct 16), but in today's species if a drop of the chemical KOH is added to the gills they turn blood red (seen on the central upturned fruit body and also on the far right hand one). If added to C. croceus it turns dirty brown. So this was the second British record. It would appear that both species occur in the same Beechwood habitat.
	Cortinarius infractus (Bitter Webcap) Nov 1, 2021. Under Oak in Jordans Village Jesper Launder found this unusual Webcap - one for which we have only a handful of records though this is likely to be due to it going unrecognised when found as are many members of this extremely difficult and large genus. Belonging to Section Phlegmacium, it has a sticky cap but a dry stem and can be recognised by its dingy greenish grey colours, particularly the gills. It has a bitter taste and roundish spores and is known from under both deciduous and coniferous trees, even with Helianthemum!
	Cortinarius lacustris (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 27, 2021. Under Willow at Stoke Common Penny found this cluster of very rusty Webcaps, noted the dry caps and stems placing it in the (dreaded) Section Telamonia and also the widely spaced gills placing it close to C. hinnuleus (Earthy Webcap - so named for its smell). At home she checked the spore size but was undecided so sent the photos to Geoffrey Kibby who named it C. lacustris. The species is apparently very common but the name is not available in the BFG dictionary though we have a record named C. hinnuleus but with the comment that it was identified for Penny as C. lacustris from Naphill Common last year. Sep 26, 2020. Penny Cullington found this group of Webcaps growing under Oak in mud at a pond edge in Naphill Common. By a lucky chance she was meeting up with Cortinarius expert Geoffrey Kibby the following day who was able to name it for her. There are very many similar Webcaps (from Section Telamonia) and very few mycologists who have the skills and experience to recognise some of them. This species was first described in 1997 and only identified as British in the last few years. Its typical habitat is exactly as above, i.e. in damp soil in broadleaved woodlands, most frequently under Oak, so a species new for the site and also for the county.
	Cortinarius leucoluteolus (an unusual Webcap with no common name) Nov 2, 2023. Under Oak at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny found this pale Webcap belonging to Section Myxacium (having a sticky cap and stem). She was able to key it out later, then sent this photo together with her description to Geoffrey Kibby (Cortinarius guru) who agreed with her identification. We have no BFG records but he assured Penny that he'd found it in Bucks in the past. This is a new entry for Finds
	Cortinarius lindstroemii (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 31, 2023. Under Beech and Birch in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found this attractive collection and took it home to work on. With this genus it is essential to have a range of fresh specimens including at least one immature one to have a fighting chance of keying it out. Section Telamonia, to which this collection belongs, is particularly challenging but at least we do now have an up-to-date monograph with approachable keys to work with. The species belongs to the C. flexipes complex having a sweet smell of Pelargonium though lacks violaceous tones in flesh or stem and can occur under both conifers and deciduous trees. It may well be common but has previously been confused with the many other small brown Webcaps. Photo 2 is of a collection from Stoke Common under Pine a few days later by Claudi Soler.
	Cortinarius magicus (a rare Webcap with no common name) Nov 16, 2023. Under Oak at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this collection of distinctive Webcaps belonging to Section Phlegmacium (with sticky caps but dry stems). She sent photo 1 to Penny plus the spore details in the hope that it could be identified, but more information was needed before the key to this section in the Kibby / Tortelli monograph could be followed. Returning to the spot a week days later, the one remaining specimen provided the vital details of the stem base shape on which the key depends. So armed with the violet gills when young but brown cap, the large marginate bulb and violet flesh within the stem together with the small amygdaliform ornamented spores and occurrence under Oak, Penny was able to key it out to this rare species which is new to the county with only a handful of UK records in FRDBI, all pre 2000. This will be dried and sequenced in the hope of confirmation.
	Cortinarius mucifluoides (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 11, 2023. On a bank under Beech at Pullingshill Wood Penny found a single small sticky brown cap just emerging with purple tinges just visible on the stem. Recognising that this must be a Cortinarius Section Myxacium - this particular bank is a hotspot for Webcaps and the C. croceocoerulea collection, see below under October 10th, was still here only inches away - she collected it to identify. This group of Webcaps (with brown slimy caps, purple slimy stems and a smell of honey) has been much studied and sorted in the last few years with the aid of DNA sequencing, so we now know that this particular Beech associate is the one we've named C. pseudosalor or C. stillatitius in the past, both those names now obsolete though the very similar conifer associate is now C. integerrimus. C. mucifluus is again similar but a Pine associate. The similar C. elatior is another Beech associate but has a wrinkled cap - not smooth as seen here today, also the lower stem has floccose bands - not seen here. Photo 3 is Noel Murray's who saw this same specimen unopened the previous day!
	Cortinarius nymphicolor (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 11, 2021. In Mousells Wood under Beech Russell Ness found this rare Webcap - a member of Section Phlegmacium - and took it home in the hope of identifying it. Its pale lilaceous colouring and bulbous stem base led him to a sizeable group of mushrooms within this section, but key to its identity was the placing of a drop of the chemical KOH on both the cap and the stem base which turned pink (see photo 3). Our only other records of this species are also from this wood, made by Geoffrey Kibby when Penny took him there ten years ago. (It is unclear whether the correct name is now C. nymphicolor or as previously recorded C. rickenianus)
	Cortinarius osmophorus (Sweet Webcap) Nov 11, 2021. Under Beech Russell Ness found this unusual Webcap - a rare member of Section Phlegmacium in Pullingshill Wood, and on the same day also found it in nearby Mousells Wood - both typical calcareous Beech woodlands now renowned for producing this genus in amazing numbers. Working on the identification at home, it was the strikingly pervasive sweet smell - similar to that of Hebeloma sacchariolens - which took him to the name together with the pale cream cap, pale gills and stem with a large marginate bulb. We have extremely few county records, the last from Dancersend which was identified by Geoffrey Kibby two years ago. (Photo 1 is from Pullingshill Wood, photo 2 is from Mousells Wood.)
	Cortinarius pholideus (Scaly Webcap) Oct 30, 2021. At Stoke Common in soil under the many Birch saplings Russell Ness found this rare and beautiful Webcap species, one belonging in Section Telamonia but instantly recognisable in the field. The cap can get to about 6 cm across and is evenly brown but covered in fine scales - unusual in the genus. Not only that but the stem also has fine belts of brown scales below the cortina zone, above this faintly violaceous as are the gills when young - quite a common feature in the genus. We have just one previous county record from Hodgemoor Woods where Penny remembers seeing it for the first time in 2010.
	Cortinarius pilatii (Lemonbalm webcap) Oct 11, 2024. In Burnham Beeches Jesper Launder noticed this small LBG, under Oak and Birch which at home keyed out nicely to this species. Clearly belonging in Section Telamonia, this is one we found on our BFG visit to Hockeridge Wood just two days earlier also under Oak when it appeared to be new to the county. (How many times this happens?!) The white rim of veil around the cap edge together with silvery streaky stem and a delicate sweet smell are the key field characters.
	Cortinarius puniceus (Bloodred Webcap) Aug 16, 2023. In Gussett's Wood Penny and Paul noticed these brightly coloured mushrooms standing out in the Beech litter and knew straight off that it was this species - the brilliant red cap and gills making it instantly recognisable. The DNA era has shown that the name C. sanguineus - by which we previously called this species - should apply only to the conifer lookalike and that the species we find in deciduous woods is different and now named C. puniceus. No doubt the common name given here will in time be amended to Crimson Webcap in accordance with the literal translation from the Latin. Oct 20, 2021. In Gussets Wood under Beech Penny found good numbers of this striking species, one of few Webcaps safely nameable in the field. Previous known as C. sanguineus, that name now applies to the similar species which occurs under Pine in Scotland (though both appear to have the same common name as yet?) and not to our more southern Beechwood species. Having a dark but brilliant red cap and gills, this uncommon species is surprisingly well camouflaged when amongst fallen leaves and easily missed. Do not confuse with C. semisanguineus (Surprise Webcap) which has the same striking red gills but a brown cap and is found under Pine or Birch. For comparison see a collection dated Oct 27th. Nov 1, 2020. Russell Ness found this stunning collection under Beech in Egypt Woods (Burnham Beeches). We have a previous rather damaged specimen dated Oct 23 (see notes under that collection for more information) but this photo was well worth including in its own right as an example of a such a distinctive species. Oct 23, 2020. Margaret Bolton found this distinctive and quite uncommon Webcap under Oak in Moorend Common. Compared to C. semisanguineus (see photo dated Oct 19) this species sports not only brilliant red gills but cap and stem as well! Up till now we've been recording this species of deciduous woods as C. sanguineus, but recent DNA research shows that that species only grows under Pine and what we find under Oak and Beech is C. puniceus, for which we have only one county record! We have to assume, therefore, that past records of C. sanguineus are likely to be this species unless found under Pine.
	Cortinarius rubricosus (an uncommon Webcap with no common name) Aug 12, 2023. In Burnham Beeches in mixed woodland Russell Ness found this clump of Webcaps belonging to section Telamonia and (bravely) took them home to identify. This is not a species with which Penny would be confident naming but the features visible, also the spores, match the description in the new Kibby & Tortelli monograph, furthermore it was identified at this site by those authors from here back in 2020. However, so many of the small species in section Telamonia appear very similar that without recourse to sequencing we cannot guarantee this ID. It is a second for the county and a first for Finds.
	Cortinarius saturninus (Trooping Webcap) Oct 20, 2024. Under Willow in a roadside verge near Hedgerley, Jesper Launder saw two separate collections of this quite unusual Webcap. This is a member of Section Telamonia and grows gregariously, often in rings (hence the English name referring Saturn's rings), most often with Willow but also with Poplar and Hazel.We have just a handful of previous county records but this is a new entry for finds.
	Cortinarius semisanguineus (Surprise Webcap) Nov 4, 2024. Under Pine at Burnham Beeches Penny found good numbers of this attractive golden-capped species which never fails to surprise when one turns it over to reveal the contrasting blood red gills beneath. It was recently thought that examples occurring under Pine were a different species from those occurring under Birch, but the very latest thinking is that they are in fact all the same. Time will tell ............. Nov 20, 2022. At Burnham Beeches our small group was indeed surprised to see several example of this striking Webcap - one of few which can be named in the field thanks to its unique combination of cinnamon brown cap but contrasting vivid red gills. It's always a delight to turn this species over and admire the underside, but the surprise was not just this feature but the fact that it was still fruiting and in good condition so late in the season. It is not rare and occurs under Beech and Oak as here but also under Pine. The photos here are Stephen Plummer's. Oct 27, 2021. At Stoke Common under Pine Penny was indeed surprised and delighted to turn over these little brown capped mushrooms and find deep blood red gills! This is one of the easiest Webcaps to name in the field (there aren't many), having a unique combination of a silky smooth brown cap (umbonate when young) and deep red gills. The only other Webcap having red gills and likely in the south is C. puniceus (incorrectly known as C. sanguineus very similar but under Pine in Scotland), but that species has an equally dark red cap as well as gills and is found under Beech or Oak. C. semisanguineus is an occasional species found under Pine or sometimes Birch and is one which regularly turns up at this site. Nov 6, 2020. We have an earlier singleton of this beautiful Webcap (dated Oct 19), but Russell Ness just couldn't resist this singleton found under Pine in Burnham Beeches with the sunlight on it! The gill colour is just incredible and no exaggeration - no prizes for guessing why this species is named 'surprise'! Oct 19, 2020. At last a Webcap which is easy to recognise! Mario Tortelli found this singleton under Beech in Burnham Beeches (photo Penny C.) Though the ochre brown cap and stem colour are similar to many other medium sized mushrooms, turn it over for the surprise - bright red gills! This species is unique in having this combination of characters, hence the species name semisanguineus: half red. There are also a couple of Webcaps which are entirely red i.e. cap as well. So look out for one under Pine (C. sanguineus) or under Beech and Oak (C. puniceus)
	Cortinarius semivestitus (a Webcap new to the UK) Nov 5th, 2023. On our BFG visit to Stoke Common we found several species of Webcap, two of which were of special note - both from Section Telamonia and collected by Jesper Launder who attempted their ID using the new Kibby & Tortelli monograph. Not surprisingly - as neither species were included therein - he arrived at the nearest possible names for both, recognising that sequencing was needed to confirm. Six months later we have the result, giving us two new species for the ever-lengthening UK list of Cortinarius. Congratulations to Jesper.
	Cortinarius splendens (Splendid Webcap) Nov 8, 2023. In Mousells Wood under Beech we were lucky enough to find just this single beautiful specimen of a rare species - this site now has quite a reputation for Section Phlegmacium Webcaps of which this is one. Penny was able to key it out, using its platform stem base, yellow gills and cap, reaction to KOH on the cap, also spores size and shape. The final clincher was its amazing yellow flesh throughout when sliced lengthways (photo 2). Photo 1 is Sarah Ebdon's, photo 2 is Penny's. We have extremely few county records, all from this site. Oct 21, 2021. A few paces further on in Mousells Wood Penny found another bright yellow sticky Webcap under Beech but suspected this was not more of the same species described above. The yellow was decidedly sulphur with a greenish glint, as were the gills, and the stem base was much more pronounced, like a platform. After working on it at home it proved to be C. splendens, another rare species of calcareous Beech woodland, one she'd recorded here three times before (once with Webcap expert Geoffrey Kibby) though we have no other county sites for it.
	Cortinarius subbalaustinus (Burnt Orange Webcap) Oct 10, 2024. In Beaconsfield in deep moss under Birch Jesper Launder found this cluster of Cortinarius which needed work at home to identify. This is an uncommon large member of Section Telamonia which associates with Birch, has a streaky hygrophanous orange cap which fades, a stem with clavate base and a sour smell. Jesper commented that it seemed to fit all details well and was a new species for him. It is also new to the county.
	Cortinarius subpurpurascens (a rare Webcap with no common name) Aug 23, 2023. In Mousells Wood under Beech Geoffrey Kibby found this pair - the first example of Section Phlegmacium (having a sticky cap but dry stem) to have appeared locally this year though this is proving to be an excellent area for them and especially this site. Noting the buff cap colour but striking violaceus gills he thought instantly of C. collocandoides - by far our commonest species with these characters, but then noted when he scratched the stem that the flesh beneath hardly showed this violet colour and certainly not as much as would be the case in that particular species. Last year on our Walk here we found this same species which, when subsequently sequenced, proved to be C. subpurpurascens - doubtfully British until this collection. Not only is the flesh much less violaceus in this species than in either C. collocandoides or C. purpurascens, but the spores differ in size. Hence Penny's check with the scope at home today, also the collection will be dried for sequencing, making this hopefully the second confirmed British collection. (The photo is Penny's.) See last year's collection in Penny's Mousells Wood report (2022 October 8th) where both this species and the more purple C. collocandoides are compared - though the text is in need of updating!
	Cortinarius talus (Honey Webcap) Oct 7, 2024. Under Beech in Chalfont St. Peter Jesper Launder found this pair and noticed a striking smell of honey once collected. We have just three previous county records though it is described as a common species belonging to Section Phlegmacium, and though here they are immature and not yet expanded the wide stem base typical of the species at maturity is already visible. Found under Oak and Birch as well, it is the honey smell which is the key diagnostic feature. This is a new entry for Finds.
	Cortinarius torvus (Stocking Webcap) Oct 13, 2023. Under Beech in Jordans Village Jesper Launder noticed these distinctive Webcaps. The species is a member of Section Telamonia having dry caps and stems (though the caps here appear shiny no doubt due to rain!) and is one of very few recognisable in the field due to its clear white ringlike cortina which reminds of stocking tops - hence its common name. This is one of our commonest Webcaps but only occurs under Beech. Aug 13, 2023. In Burnham Beeches under Beech Russell Ness found good numbers of this common Webcap which, though belonging to section Telamonia, can be recognised quite easily. The 'stocking' effect seen on the stem clearly in both photos here is very distinctive and enough to make an ID though when more mature it becomes much less obvious. The key is to look at immature specimens as shown here. Oct 6, 2021. In Kings Wood Tylers Green Penny found a group of another member of the Telamonia Webcaps (see also the species above) which can be named in the field. It has notably widely spaced gills and the stem has a stocking-like veil covering the lower section topped by a distinct cream ring (photo 2). The species is one of the commonest in the Chilterns, favouring Beech as host tree. Oct 3, 2020. Penny Cullington found this collection in Penn Wood under Beech, its most common host. It is one of several of the dry capped Telamonia group of Webcaps (of which there are hundreds!) which is recognisable in the field. Given the host tree, the brown caps tend to have a paler whitish edge, the gills are widely spaced with a violet tinge especially when young, but the telltale feature is the obvious membranous sheathlike white upturned ring on the stem reminding of the top of a sock or stocking (hence the common name) which remains into maturity. it also has a sweetish fruity smell.
	Cortinarius turgidus (a Webcap with no common name) Oct 11, 2023. Under Beech in Marlow Common Penny found good examples of two different Webcaps - both of which have been sequenced from this same spot in recent years. C. turgidus seen here is a large member of Section Telamonia (with a dry cap and stem), found under Beech, less often under Oak and Hornbeam. It has a palish buff slightly streaky cap and a pale stem having a clavate base. Note how the rusty spores of the LH largest cap have dropped a print onto the cap beneath. This is a new entry for Finds.
	Cortinarius uliginosus (Marsh Webcap) Nov 24, 2021. Whilst clearing out an overgrown pond at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed a few clusters of this bright orange-capped Webcap and noting the obvious Willow association present she recalled Penny suggesting she should look out for this unusual species when under Willow in wet places. The collections varied somewhat, in fact she wondered if the paler specimens were a different species, but the spores from both the paler and darker collections fitted exactly and descriptions of the species include comments of a var. luteus which lacks the reddish bands of veil on the stem (seen in photo 1) and has a yellower cap also. When fresh and young this species is notable for its bright yellow gills which contrast with the copper of the cap, but they soon darken as the rusty spores colour them as seen here. Photo 3 is of var. luteus. Nov 11, 2021. At Stoke Common this was one species Penny was hoping to find today. As its common name implies, it favours wet areas and is associated with Willow, and parts of this site spend much of the year underwater owing to the underlying clay. Just one little collection was found at the base of Willow where clearly the rain water had only recently receded. This is a small Webcap from Section Cortinarius and her photos sadly don't do it justice as it has a beautiful bright orange to copper dry silky cap with an umbo, when young and fresh the gills are bright yellow and the stem has orange bands below. Not common, we have just two other known county sites with one record each plus one previous record from here back in 2008. Nov 3, 2020. In the Mire at Burnham Beeches Penny C.'s search under Willow was rewarded with these three specimens. This is an attractive smallish Webcap with a brightly coloured dry cap though the gills - yellow at first - quickly darken to orange then brown. Only found under Willow, this is a new species for the site and only the third site in the county where we've recorded it.
	Cortinarius valgus (a Oct 18, 2020. Webcap with no common name Oct 18, 2020. Penny C. found this collection on a road side bank under Beech at Pullingshill Wood, identified the next day by Geoffrey Kibby. This is a fairly large and common Webcap with a dry cap and stem (a member of the Telamonia group) and has a slightly two-tone cap and a silvery stem.
	Cortinarius vernus (Spring Webcap) Mar 22, 2024. In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder came across this unremarkable LBJ under Birch and, recognising the genus, knew that it was likely to be something interesting if appearing at this time - very unusual for Webcaps. He keyed it out to this species, one which in fact he found here last year in May when new to the county. However, this will need sequencing to confirm his ID because there are many extremely similar species within the Telamonia section of the genus, and so many unseasonal things seem to be appearing this spring that anything is possible! Photo 3 is of another collection he made a month later under Lime at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens. May 13, 2023. In Gerrards Cross Common Jesper Launder came across this little collection under a mix of deciduous trees and, knowing it was an unusual genus to be fruiting at this time, took it home to work on. This is one of the trickiest genera with literally hundreds of species and many which look pretty well like this one: typical LBJs! C. vernus (a member of Section Telamonia) seemed a likely candidate, however, and he sent the photos to expert Geoffrey Kibby who confirmed his ID. As well as fruiting in Spring, it is a small species, has an acutely conical reddish brown cap and the stem flesh tends to bruise reddish brown, seen clearly in photo 2. This is new not only to Finds but also to the county.
	Cortinarius violaceus (Violet Webcap) Oct 14, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found this beautiful and unusual species. This is a distinctive member of Section Cortinarius (one of four separate sections within this enormous genus) and is a large mushroom, entirely dry and entirely violet and with a swollen clavate stem base. Note the rusty spore colour showing on both upper stem and cap in photo 3 - a sure sign of this genus. Russell didn't mention the tree association here but there are Beech and Aspen leaves in view in his photos, both trees known to be associates together with Birch. It is never common and we have a handful of county sites, this being one of them. See a further collection found earlier this year on August 21st, also in Finds 2020 October 22nd. Aug 21, 2023. At Burnham Beeches Berry Webb found this beautiful Webcap which Penny has (hopefully correctly) named from his two photos. You might think this is a somewhat risky procedure with such an enormous genus, many members of which have purple colours! However, the dry tomentose cap surface when this colour is unique and very clear in both photos, also visible are the swollen base and concolorous stem and gills, furthermore she knows the species from two previous collections found at Hodgemoor (see in Finds 2020 October 22nd for one of these). The species is not at all common but can occur under various deciduous trees. Oct 22, 2020. Penny was delighted to come across this stunning species under mixed deciduous trees in Hodgemoor Woods, a site where Paul C. found it 10 years ago almost to the day! This is a rare find and also an easy Webcap to recognise in the field, being entirely deep violet purple - cap, gills and stem, with a dry slightly scaly cap surface and a clavate stem base. Cut in half the flesh is the same dark colour. It is quite a big Webcap and today's was about 12 cms tall, a species of deciduous woodland usually under Beech or Poplar (not present today).
	Cortinarius vulpinus (Foxy Webcap) Oct 20, 2022. In Loft Wood (near Stokenchurch) Jackie Newcombe had found this impressive group of Webcaps under Beech and took a couple of us to see it. Identified by Penny (and confirmed by G. Kibby), it is one of the many showy members of the Phlegmacium group of Webcaps (with slimy caps but dry stems) which favour this particular habitat. Recognised by its foxy brown cap which is paler at the margin and its thick clavate stem, the young gills are pale beige with a violet tinge (not visible here) but soon become rusty brown. Note also the cortina still intact on the young specimen but left as a ring zone when mature. We have a handful of county records and this is new to Finds. The group photo is Stephen Plummer's, photos 2 and 3 are Jackie's. Photo 4 is of another collection made the following day from Gussett's Wood by Penny.
	Craterellus cornucopioides (Horn of Plenty) Aug 21, 2023. At Burnham Beeches Barry Webb took this lovely photo of a species which is proving very common at the moment with reports in from various places. (Penny and Geoffrey Kibby found sheets of it under Beech at Mousells Wood a couple of days after this.) It described as basically black it can vary in colour and is often surprisingly grey (with a brownish tint at times) with hardly any black, but the trumpet shape with smooth outer surface is inmistakeable. Aug 4, 2023. On a mossy bank under Birch in Hodgemoor Woods and adjacent to Penny's Chanterelles (see below) these young black trumpets would probably have been missed had Penny not known this was a particularly good spot for them! Once you get your eye in and have spotted one clump it's well worth looking for more because they blend in with very well with their surroundings, especially when only a couple of cms tall as here. The species is quite common though is usually later in the season than this, but nothing is following normal patterns this summer! Nov 24, 2022. In Bradenham Woods Penny was surprised to uncover good numbers of this species still fruiting though they were well hidden amongst the thick leaf litter. Once you find one it's always worth hunting around for more, and this was the case today. Oct 18, 2022. In Downley Wood Claire Williams spotted these trumpets in mossy Beech litter. The species is quite common but easily missed as the dark colour blends in with the leaf litter and soil (and they are normally much blacker than they appear here). Once you spot one it's always worth checking the area more closely because there's usually more around. The seem to favour sloping mossy sites under Beech. Oct 10, 2021. In Downley Woods Claire Williams found some very small examples of this fungus just showing above the deciduous litter an moss. A common species in this area but an unusual-looking one, it lacks gills entirely, having very thin flesh and forms these distinctive black trumpets - unmistakable if you find it. Once you've seen one and get your eye in there are nearly always more in the same vicinity and it seems to favour banks and sloping ground.
	Craterium leucocephalum (a Slime Mould with no common name) Nov 10, 2022. In Round Spring Wood, Dancersend, Barry Webb was delighted when Stephen Plummer found these tiny forms on wood because it was a species he'd never encountered before. The species is relatively rare and we have just one previous county record made by Myxomycete guru Bruce Ing in 1991 from Salcey Forest. As most of that area is in fact in Northants it is tempting to count this a a first for the county! It is certainly a first for Finds. The photo is, of course, Barry's.
	Craterium minutum (a slime mould with no common name) Mar 14, 2021. Barry Webb found these tiny little beauties in Burnham Beeches on a woodchip pile. These miniscule wine goblets are only about 1 mm high, each initially covered by a flat lid which in the RH sporangium in photo 2 can be seen just lifting off to reveal the spore mass beneath. This is a distinctive species, its shape together with the ochre colour and lid making it recognisable in the field. We have just two previous county records though this appears to be a first for Burnham Beeches.
	Crepidotus applanatus (Flat Oysterling) Aug 12, 2023. On very rotten fallen deciduous wood in Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found this Oysterling and took it home to work on. The small globose spores - smaller than in the similar and very common C. cesatii (Roundspored Oysterling - though by no means the only Oysterling with round spores!) helped with the ID. Furthermore this species favours well rotted wood rather than twigs and woody litter on which C. cesatii thrives. Feb 2, 2021. Joanna Dodsworth noticed this species on a deciduous stick in an area of Brill Common known as The Walks. Several species in this genus look extremely similar - this being one of them - and cannot safely be named without taking spore shape and size amongst other things into account. Also very similar is Clitopilus hobsonii (a species in the same genus as The Miller) but that species has pink spores whereas Crepidotus has brown spores despite the fact that the young gills (seen here) do look pink.
	Crepidotus caspari (Pale Oysterling) Nov 30, 2022. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this Oysterling growing on an old Ash log, and identified it (as one has to) by spore size and ornamentation, also other microscopic features. This is a genus of pretty delicate little virtually stemless mushrooms, the species of which are extremely similar - hence the essential use of a scope. This species (previously C. autochthonus) is one we record less frequently than others and is new to Finds. Compare with others of the genus using the Masterlist.
	Crepidotus cesatii (Round-spored Oysterling) Feb 4, 2022. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed some nice fresh examples of this common pretty little stemless species fruiting on a fallen deciduous stick. It is mainly but not exclusively found in autumn but only identifiable to species by its spores because there are several other extremely similar little Oysterlings found on twigs etc. Only C. mollis can be recognised safely in the field by it elastic transparent cap cuticle. Jan 3, 2022. In Rushbeds Wood Penny saw several twigs / stick with small specimens of this genus, then eventually found an example worth illustrating. There are two particularly common species on twigs which are virtually impossible to separate unless one looks at the spores: C. variabilis and C. cesatii. Today's had round spores whereas C. variabilis has cylindrical spores though both have spores with a fine ornamentation. Oct 8, 2020. This small species was found on a Beech stick at Turville Heath by Penny Cullington. The largest cap (on the left) was about 1.5 cm across - an average size for the species which is superficially almost identical to several others and cannot be identified with certainty without checking the spores. The genus is common on twigs, herbaceous stems, woody debris and easy to recognise by the white shell-shaped caps with pinkish to rusty gills and virtually no stem to speak of.
	Crepidotus epibryus (Grass Oysterling) Feb 11, 2022. On a dead Oak leaf at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed a tiny white fungus, and turning the leaf over found another one which confirmed the genus for her. A check for the narrow pip-shaped smooth spores then confirmed this quite common species which occurs on plant debris and deciduous leaves / twigs. Compare with images of others from the genus, nearly all species of which need confirmation with a scope, as here. Nov 9, 2020. Whilst on her knees taking a photo of something different in Rushbeds Wood, Penny C. noticed this small white cap on the end of an Ash leaf petiole. Turning it over and realising it was a Crepidotus, she knew it was likely to be this particular species which grows not on woody debris but on old stems of vegetation including leaf petioles as here. It still needed to be checked at home to confirm, however.
	Crepidotus luteolus (Yellowing Oysterling) Nov 5, 2020. On some woody debris in Gussetts Wood Penny C. found two fruit bodies of a Crepidotus and took it home to work on the offchance that it might be one not yet on our list. Crepidotus is an easy genus to recognise but virtually all species need a microscope to name further than that. Spore size, shape and ornamentation is critical, usually needing to be viewed at x 1000 together with other cells on the gill, and today's collection keyed out neatly to C. luteolus, quite a common species which tends to become tinged with yellow as it ages - not today though!
	Crepidotus mollis (Peeling Oysterling) Oct 14, 2024. In Gerrards Cross Jim Wills noticed this beautifully formed example of a large Crepidotus which owing to its size he guessed was likely to be C. mollis. Not only does this species get much bigger that other Oysterlings but it also has an elastic cuticle so that the cap can be stretched sideways to reveal its transparent covering. This makes an easy way to identify it in the field though others in the genus always need a microscopic check to name to species. Oct 11, 2023. On a deciduous log in Marlow Common Penny found good numbers of this shell-like mushroom which had grown to a good size - 3-4 cm across - and were dropping their brown spores on the surrounding wood. Collecting one then stretching it sideways revealed the expected transparent coating which prevents the cap from splitting as other members of this genus would, thus confirming its ID. Sep 13, 2022. In Burnham Beeches on the end of a deciduous log Penny noticed these Oysterlings and from their larger size and general jizz she suspected it was this species. Photo 2 reveals the feature which makes this possibly the only Oysterling safely nameable without recourse to a scope. When stretched sideways the cap cuticle is remarkably elastic and also translucent - a unique feature. Oct 6, 2020. Our first Crepidotus of the season, this is almost the only member of the genus nameable in the field and was found by Penny Cullington on the same trunk pile as Trametes hirsuta at Wotton Park Estate. It is the largest in the genus, with caps up to 8 cm across though often considerably smaller than this, and grows on deciduous fallen wood. Note the typical lack of stem and shell shape of the genus showing well in the upturned specimen (photo 2), and the key feature of this species showing in photo 3: the gelatinous elastic cuticle (cap covering) which one can easily stretch. In all other species in the genus the cap, if treated this way, will just break in half.
	Crepidotus variabilis (Variable Oysterling) Dec 1, 2022. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this Oysterling on a twig in Oak leaf litter. This is one of our two commonest Oysterlings, the other being C. cesatii (Roundspored Oysterling). However, common or not, they both need a scope to name them to species, occurring as they do in very similar woodland habitats. We have just single entries for both species from 2020 in Finds: October 8th for C. cesatii and October 18th for C. variabilis. Oct 18, 2020. Penny C. found this little group on a dead bramble stem in Marlow Common. We have photos of two other common Crepidotus species so far, one of which (C. cesatii dated Oct 08) is very similar to today's and they can only be separated with certainty if the spores are checked - round in one and cylindrical in the other). This species can be found on dead twigs and various herbaceous stems as here and the caps are up to about 2 cms across. Note the lack of stem underneath and the shell-like shape with pinkish beige gills which reflect the spore colour of the genus. Do not confuse with the quite similar Panellus stipticus (dated Oct 03).
	Cribraria argillacea (a Slime Mould with no common name) Jun 9, 2021. On a visit to Burnham Beeches a few days previously Barry Webb had noticed a rotting fallen birch trunk with a large colony of this tiny species so took our small group to see it today where it was maturing nicely but with the netlike mesh typical of the genus still visible. Typical of this particular species is the very short stalk and pale clay-coloured 'sporangia' (heads). See an example of the species at an earlier stage of development in Barry's Slime Mould photos in Members Finds where the sporangia is typically gun metal blue and still shiny.
	Cribraria aurantiaca (an unusual Slime Mould with no common name) Jul 13, 2023. At Burnham Beeches on damp rotting Pine Barry Webb found these little beauties, no more than 2 mm high - a species he has found here on three previous occasions last year - our only county records. The stunning bright green sporangia seen in photo 2 here are at a less mature stage. Jul 5, 2021. On fallen rotting Birch in Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this tiny but beautiful species which (surprisingly) has bright green plasmodium and as it develops to form fruiting bodies the colour of the heads changes thru green ( as here) to blue and eventually to yellow ochre retaining this amazing mesh / network which characterises the genus (like a crib?). The stalk is a bright orange to reddish brown, it also tapers upwards notably. This was new not only to the site but to the county when found by Barry in June. Jun 19, 2021. On fallen rotting Birch in Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this tiny but beautiful species which (surprisingly) has bright green plasmodium and as it develops to form fruiting bodies the colour of the heads changes thru green to blue (as here) and eventually to yellow ochre retaining this amazing mesh / network which characterises the genus (like a crib?). Why the species name? The stalk is a bright orange to reddish brown, it also tapers upwards notably. This is new not only to the site but to the county (though described as very common!)
	Cribraria cancellata (a rare Slime Mould with no common name) Aug 14, 2023. Two for the price of one here: In Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found these little stunners on rotting fallen Pine. The 'snowballs' on stalks are the Arcyria - still immature and not fully grown, and accompanying them the 'Chinese lanterns' are the fully developed Cribraria, this little group no more than a few mm tall at most! See the Masterlist for further images of both species, also a very similar Cribraria but rare species found by Barry just a day later. Jul 2, 2023. On fallen rotting Pine at Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this minute and beautiful species and took this stunning photo - possibly the most exquisite in existence! Each fruiting body is barely 5mm tall and the nodding heads (like Chinese lanterns) no more than 0.7mm across. Jul 6, 2021. On fallen rotting Pine in Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this tiny but beautiful species which is new to the site and with just one previous county record: from Salcey Forest, 1991, found by the distinguished Myxomycete specialist Bruce Ing (so Barry is in good company!). All species in the genus have this amazing meshlike network surrounding the head, particularly marked in this species which has purple black plasmodium and a long dark tapering stalk when developed as here. Compare with others from the genus on Barry's separate webpage full of brilliant photos.
	Cribraria cancellata var. fusca (a Slime Mould with no common name) Aug 15, 2023. In Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found these exquisite tiny beauties on rotting fallen Birch. Compared with type species of C. cancellata (see yesterday's image) note not just the different colour but also the dark solid cup visible where the stalk attaches to the head - this is missing in the type. We have a further image of this variety in Finds 2021 August 13th when the species was new to the county, today's collection being the second record. This variety is much the rarer of the two. Aug 13, 2021. In Penn Wood on fallen Pine Barry Webb found this rare species, new to the county and with not many British records though the type species is more common - compare with Barry's photos dated July 6th. Photo 3 is from Burnham Beeches found three days later by Barry, also on Pine. This variety differs from the type by having a well marked cup at the base of the sporangia (lacking in the type). Both species have many longditudinal ribs around the sporangia linked by ladder-like threads, seen in the detailed photo 4. Bear in mind that each individual fruiting body is no more than 3mm high and the heads no more than 0.7mm in diameter!
	Cribraria mirabilis (a rare Slime Mould with no common name) Jul 29, 2023. In Burnham Beeches on fallen rotten conifer, Barry Webb found this little troupe of chinese lanterns, each one no more than a few mm high. In FRDBI there are only 7 national records of the species, none from this century, though there will be a more recent one once the 2021 BFG records are entered therein! Aug 15, 2021. On fallen rotting Pine in Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found these rare tiny little beauties, a species with under 10 national records and new to the county. The identification was verified from Barry's photos by Norwegian expert Edvin Johanssen. Only up to 1.5 mm tall and 0.8mm wide, it is similar to C. cancellata lacking a cup and having a cage of longditudinal ribs but is irridescent in early stages (photos 1 and 2). (There seems to be some confusion over previous records, Edvin informing Barry that the last record was UK expert Bruce Ing's from Bucks. However, our national database shows that record was from Scotland with others after it, none from Bucks.)
	Cribraria persoonia (a Slime Mould with no common name) Aug 18, 2021. In Burnham Beeches on fallen Pine Barry Webb found this species, new to the county and with not many British records despite being described as common in the literature. (The determination came from online and is therefore not 100% but it is hoped that the material will be checked with a scope to confirm.) This is another tiny and delicate species no more than 1.5 mm high with a tapering brown stalk and having a wrinkled cup at the base of the sporangia being about a third of the whole.
	Cribraria rufa (a rare Slime Mould with no common name) Jul 10, 2023. On a piece of rotting Pine collected from Burnham Beeches a few days previously and taken home to incubate in his greenhouse, Barry Webb was delighted to see this little beauty appear beside a tiny species of Hydropus as yet unnamed (therein lies another story!). Sep 13, 2021. In Ivinghoe Common on rotting fallen conifer Barry Webb found these tiny white beauties, demonstrating an early stage of development before the head dries off to release its rusty spores. There are many species of Cribraria, all tiny and beautiful in their detail, nearly always on rotting conifer, and having round heads with a protective mesh / network. C. rufa has a short black stem and a widely spaced mesh, seen here just developing. See also dated July 9th; there are many more examples of the genus on Barry's separate page in Members' Finds. Jul 9, 2021. On fallen rotting Pine in Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this tiny but beautiful species, one which is new to the site and was new to the county when Barry found it last September in Penn Wood (see in Finds 2020 dated Sept 20th). Photo 1 clearly shows the large cup at the base from which the meshlike network spreads - typical of this species, though in photo 2, of mature fruiting heads and taken a day later, the cup is reduced and the network more pronounced. Sep 20, 2020. In Penn Wood Barry Webb found this tiny little specimen fruiting on fallen rotten Pine. About 20 species of this beautiful genus occur in the UK, mostly found on rotting conifer wood, and this one has apparently become much more common with the increase in plantations. However, we have no previous records in the county.
	Cribraria vulgaris (a slime mould with no common name) Jun 6, 2021. In Burnham Beeches (06.06.2021) on fallen damp Pine Barry found these minute (even for a slime mould) specimens which were only 0.5 mm across! (The determination was confirmed online by Myxo expert Edvin Johannesen.) A rare species with few national records, this was an exciting find. The single record for the county dates back to 1923 (at Burnham Beeches) with both collector and identifier as 'Anon', so probably best overlooked, making this new to Bucks.
	Crinipellis scabella (Hairy Parachute) Nov 5, 2022. In Green End near Granborough Jesper Launder found this unusual small grassland species in a grassy roadside verge. Its common name is a touch misleading as it has no connection with the genus Marasmius (Parachute) other than being small and hairy - both cap and stem - as a few true Parachutes are. It grows on dying grass stems, and we have just a small handful of previous county records. This is a new entry for Members' Finds.
	Crucibulum laeve (Common Bird's Nest) Dec 12, 2023. A quick visit to Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens would not be complete without checking for this tiny but distinctive species in the thick layers of woodchip spread around various trees near the entrance. Now we know where to look, it's surprising how often it's there and today was no exception. This time it was under the Cedar and Penny was able to place together wood fragments showing all stages of development: from still with its yellow-ochre lid in tact to the uncovered 'nests' both with clusters of 'eggs' containing the spores and empty having been dispersed by raindrops. Nov 2, 2023. In woodchip at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Claire Williams found this interesting little species which is a regular at this site and brings looks of amazement to those who've never seen it before. Claire's photo shows two immature 'nests' still unopened, also two full of 'eggs' which are in fact sacks containing spores which are then dispersed by a splash of rain. Oct 27, 2022. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens we were amazed to find quantities of two species of Bird's Nest in the many substantial patches of woodchips. See also Cyathus striatus (Fluted Bird's Nest) just above for comparison. The tiny packets of spores (the 'eggs' within each 'nest') are dispersed by rain droplets, and each nest is less than 5mm across. Photo 1 is Stephen Plummer's. Penny and Claire Williams found both Birds' Nest species still in good numbers here on December 6th - photos 2 and 3 are Claire's. Sep 7, 2022. At Turville Heath In a patch of disturbed soil with many rotting woody fragments Penny's eye was caught by these tiny bright orange blobs. On closer inspection she suspected these were a species of Bird's Nest though still immature and not yet revealing their amazing contents. All were arising from wood fragments and she collected several to take home and nurture in the hope that the tops would eventually lift off showing the miniscule bird's nest full of eggs within. She had to wait a full week but was eventually rewarded - photos 2 and 3 being the result. The species is not rare - we have a few records from 5 other county sites but this is our first Finds entry.
	Cudoniella acicularis (Oak Pin) Nov 20, 2022. At Burnham Beeches our small group found several Oak stumps with good numbers of this small ascomycete - one that looks just like a small white Mycena (Bonnet) until you look underneath with a handlens and find no gills! It frequents damp rotting Oak stumps and is reasonably common. (The photo here is Stephen Plummer's.) Feb 1, 2021. In Burnham Beeches Barry Webb noticed these tiny white fruitbodies on bare rotting wood. Easily mistaken for a small Mycena or similar, this is in fact an Ascomycete and has no gills underneath despite the typical stem and cap of a mushroom. Usually fruiting from Autumn to early Winter, this is probably not that exceptional to find still appearing now. Oct 22, 2020.Penny C. noticed these tiny Ascomycetes on a rotting stump in Hodgemoor Woods whilst on her knees photographing something else! No more than 3 mms high, they look like a colony of tiny white capped Bonnets until you look closely and see that there are no gills under the widened top. Not uncommon on rotting stumps of many kinds, particularly Oak.
	Cudoniella clavus (Spring Pin) May 7, 2022. Adjacent to his beautiful specimens of Bog Beacon in a wooded sloping wet flush at Burnham Beeches, Barry Webb noticed these very small whitish 'mushrooms' growing in the wet woody debris, later identified by Derek from this photo. Though looking mushroom-shaped, the species in fact has no gills or pores underneath and is an Ascomycete, closely related to the much more common and also smaller Cudoniella acicularis (Oak Pin). It is not that common and we have only a handful of previous records, though fruiting as it does at this time it may well get overlooked. May 5, 2021. At our visit to Burnham Beeches today Joanna Dodsworth found this quite unusual ascomycete which could easily be mistaken for a small polypore, growing as it does on damp bare wood or woody remains. The underside, however, is entirely smooth (i.e. no pores or gills) and it favours spring fruiting - hence its common name. Today's find was about 15mm across but it has a much smaller and commoner baby sister species, Cudoniella acicularis, which we find commonly on bare rotting wood in the autumn. See Finds 2020 dated Oct 22nd to compare the two species. Photo 1 is Penny's, photo 2 is Derek's.)
	Cuphophyllus canescens (a rare waxcap with no English name) Nov 5, 2024. At Prestwood Churchyard Penny and Sarah found a couple of these pale grey waxcaps which they intantly knew was something un familiar and probably special. The widely spaced and upturned gills were remarkably interveined and unlike the unusual C. flavipes (Yellowfoot Waxcap - also grey and rare) it lacked any sign of yellow at the stem base. At home Penny found remarkably small subglobose spores, similar in shape to those of the common C. pratensis (Meadow Waxcap and also present here today) and this together with the notable gills and colour confirmed the ID. This is new to the county and appears to have only one previous UK record which seem extraordinary. So yet another exciting find for this special site with a growing list of interesting species. A sample will be sequenced. The photos are Penny's.
	Cuphophyllus colemannianus (Toasted Waxcap) Dec 3, 2022. At Ragpits Reserve Penny found just a few of these which are usually to be found here though often not elsewhere. The brown dry caps and pale buff to brown decurrent gills are diagnostic. Oct 25, 2020. Better known as Hygrocybe colemanniana, this occasional Waxcap with a rich brown cap was found in good numbers in unimproved grassland at Ragpits Nature Reserve by Penny C. This is a medium sized species with a greasy cap when moist but a dry stem and the gills are pale buff and distinctly decurrent. Caps can sometimes be reddish brown and sometimes paler brown but the gill colour and shape help to confirm the identification if in doubt.
	Cuphophyllus flavipes (Yellowfoot Waxcap) Nov 7, 2024. Amongst the 15 different waxcap species our large group were treated to at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens this was one of the most unusual and was new to the site today though we found it last year in the adjacent St Giles Churchyard. It is one of the dry waxcaps now moved into genus Cuphophyllus and has a grey cap, white widely spaced gills and and a white stem which has a distinct hint of yellow towards the base. This was a nice find. The photos are Penny's. Nov 2, 2023. In short grass in St Giles churchyard Stoke Poges we were pleased to find this unusual Waxcap (previously in genus Hygrocybe), one known only from a couple of other county sites. We also found it here in 2021 though today's is the first entry for Finds. This is quite a large Waxcap, entirely dry and grey apart from having a distinct yellow tinge to the stem base. The photo is Penny's.
	Cuphophyllus fornicatus (Earthy Waxcap) Dec 3, 2022. At Ragpits Reserve Penny found just these two specimens: similar to C. colemannianus also found here today but distinctly greyer and lacking the decurrent gills of that species. Another grey Waxcap is G. irrigatus (Slimy Waxcap) but that species is intensely slimy (the stem almost resisting be picked!) in contrast to the dry species today. We have just a handful of sites for it but it was new to Ragpits today. See in Finds 2020 November 13th when it was new to Prestwood churchyard.
	Cuphophyllus pratensis (Meadow Waxcap) Nov 2, 2023. Today at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens we were treated to an array of 10 different Waxcap species, most of which we have already featured quite recently in Finds so are omitting the others but including this species here as it is only just making an appearance this season. Previously in genus Hygrocybe it is one of the larger species but distinctive with its peach colour and strongly decurrent gills. Members of genus Cuphopyllus have dry caps and stems. Both photos are Penny's, the second was taken 2 weeks later at Prestwood Churchyard where the species is amazingly common. Oct 27, 2022. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens in an area of lawn Penny found this cluster of Waxcaps (previously in genus Hygrocybe). This is one of our commoner Waxcaps, quite a large chunky species with a dry cap and stem and distinctive widely species decurrent gills. Dec 30, 2021. In Prestwood Churchyard Penny was amazed to see this species (previously known as Hygrocybe pratensis) still happily fruiting - it has been coming up here for months now. Photo 2 is of a collection made the next day at Brill Common by Joanna Dodsworth, giving further evidence of how this continued mild spell is encouraging many fungi to prolong their normal fruiting pattern well into Winter. Oct 30, 2021. In Prestwood Churchyard Penny found good numbers of this large and common Waxcap, previously in genus Hygrocybe. This is a dry Waxcap with distinctly decurrent gills and a domed or rounded cap before it expands. The colour is also distinctive making it one of the easiest to identify in the field.
	Cuphophyllus virgineus (Snowy Waxcap) Oct 28, 2023. In his Salden Wood Bob Simpson found this species fruiting in an area cleared and then replanted with trees seven years ago. This is our commonest Waxcap and not particularly fussy about needing unimproved grassland soils as the majority are, but it's the first time he's seen it here. The pink stem base visible is caused by a Fusarium infection which is quite often present in this species and apparently also gives this normally unscented species a smell of coconut! If you find a small white Waxcap with a strong smell of Russian leather, please let Penny know! This would be the rare C. russocoriaceus. Sep 28, 2023. In short grass at Prestwood Churchyard this was the fifth Waxcap Penny found here today. Possibly our commonest species (and previously in genus Hygrocybe), it seems to thrive in any grassland so is not one of those considered an indicator species for unimproved grassland. Its dry cap, whitish colour together with strongly decurrent gills make it an easy one to recognise. Surprisingly we have only one previous Finds entry: 2021 November 18th. Nov 18, 2021. In Prestwood Churchyard Penny found some unusually pure white and dry capped Waxcaps which - though the species is probably the commonest of this group - made her take a second glance (also it's not yet included in Finds). However, there was little doubt about the species with its widely spaced decurrent gills though the cap is described as 'greasy to lubricous, cream or ivory' but is hygrophanous becoming white when dry - something Penny'd not noticed before.
	Cyanoboletus pulverulentus (Inkstain Bolete) Aug 12, 2023. At Stampwell Farm under Beech Jackie Ewan found just this small singleton Bolete but the instant deep blueing though with yellow pores rather than red left little doubt as to its identity. See also a collection found a month earlier, July 17th, plus others via the Masterlist. In some years we hardly see this species but it appears to be doing well - like so many other fungi - at the moment. Jul 17, 2023. At Turville Heath under the Limes Penny noticed these somewhat broken specimens (the ground had recently been mown) but their yellow pores and strong really dark blueing together with the pink shades on cap and stem were sufficient to make an identification. The species (previously in genus Boletus) is uncommon (and was new to the site today) and mostly found under Beech or Oak, so this was a surprise to Penny under Lime. Jul 19, 2021. In his garden in Jordans village Jesper Launder looks for this striking and uncommon species every autumn where it comes up regularly under Beech and Hazel - see also in Finds 2020 dated Sept 21st). Here it was again fruiting very early this year. Previously in the genus Boletus, this is one of several species in which the flesh when exposed to the air turns instantly blue (shown in photo 2). This particular species, however, has yellow pores rather than the red of the much more common Scarletina Bolete, and is also notable for the deep almost blue-black colour it develops on bruised pores and stem as well as in the flesh - it is in fact the darkest staining Bolete, hence its common name. It occurs under deciduous trees, favouring Beech and Oak. Sep 21, 2020. This uncommon bolete was fruiting under Beech and Hazel in Jordans Village, found by Jesper Launder. Superficially similar to the Xerocomus / ellus group of boletes, it differs in turning instantly deep blue not only where pressed on the yellow pores but also (in common with the Scarletina Bolete) when the flesh is exposed to the air. Rather a dry collection here but nevertheless a nice find.) Oct 1, 2020. We do have this species already (dated Sept 22), but Penny Cullington found this fresher example under Oak and Lime at Turville Heath which is worth including separately. See notes under Sept 22, but suffice it to say that the striking blue staining took no more than two or three seconds in the smaller young specimen, leaving one in no doubt as to the identification. Note the yellow pores, not red or orange as in other strongly blueing boletes (which incidentally never go as deeply intense blue as this species).
	Cyathus stercoreus (Dung Bird's Nest) Nov 29, 2024. Ten days ago at Burnham Beeches Barry Webb was taken to see this very rare species of Bird's Nest (photo 1) by a member of the public who'd been shown it by a mycologist friend a few days earlier and though there were only these two immature specimens remaining, she explained that there had been plenty more previously though still not fully developed (photo 2, taken by Piermario Maculan, London Nat. Hist. Soc. member). It was growing on cow dung in a grassy area and Barry collected a sample to incubate at home in the hope of further development. This didn't happen, however, but on returning to the site today he was rewarded with these fully developed fruitbodies (photo 3) leaving little doubt as to their identity, each 'nest' less than 8mm across and having a smooth blackish interior with equally dark packets of spores within. He took Penny to collect some samples a few days later and she was able to confirm the ID from the spore size.This species is a real rarity and the few UK records are mainly from dunes on dung of various sorts, particularly on rabbit dung. Inlaend records are extremely scarce and not surprisingly this is new to both the site and the county. A sample will be sequenced.
	Cyathus striatus (Fluted Bird's Nest) Oct 27, 2022. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens we were amazed to find quantities of two species of Bird's Nest - both in different genera - in the many substantial patches of woodchips. Both are fairly common but tiny so easily missed, and this particular species is distinctive with its striated inner surface, hence its common name. Photo 1 is Stephen Plummer's. Photos 2 and 3 (taken by Claire Williams) show the species still fruiting in the same spot on Dec 6th, found by Penny and Claire. Oct 25, 2021. This tiny species was much admired by members at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens where it was found in woodchips. Each 'nest' is no wider than 5-6 mm and starts out like a tiny spiny puffball (seen top right of Photo 1), then splits open revealing a white membranous lid which is discarded to further reveal the fluted cup with four 'eggs' which are in fact bundles full of spores. Raindrops then expel the eggs which then dispersed their spores. Photos are by Stephen Plummer. Nov 20, 2020. We have an earlier photo of this attractive little species dated Oct 25, but today's collection - spotted in woodchip in Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens by Penny C. - shows various different stages of development. Note the immature brown hairy stage before the 'nest' has opened at all, followed by the nest having a white membranous covering - visible in photo 1 on the far left hand fruit body. This membrane then disappears to reveal the clusters of 'eggs' within which contain the spores which get dispersed by raindrops when mature. This is when the nest takes on its fluted striations around the inner surface. Each nest is well under 1 cm across. What little gems! Oct 25, 2020. In Marlow Common Sarah Ebdon took a shot of this photogenic troop of Trooping Funnel, only to notice at home later that there was a much more interesting fungus in view here! Can you locate it in photo 1 amongst the leaves? Photo 2 (taken the next day) shows the tiny conical fluted cups of Cyathus striatus which are up to 1 cm across and when at their peak contain the 'bird's eggs': tiny round whitish sacs, each full of spores, and attached to the cup by a thin umbilical-like chord. Sadly the material here is well past its best and no doubt also waterlogged, but a nice and lucky find!
	Cyclocybe erebia (Dark Fieldcap) Oct 12, 2022. In woody debris at Dancersend Gill Ferguson found this unusual species which is new to the site, this being only the third record in the county in the last 15 years. Previously and better known in genus Agrocybe, it has a dark reddish brown cap which today was somewhat viscid after rain, brownish gills and a pale stem having a distinct membranous pendant white ring, below this becoming gradually darker. This was a nice record and is a new entry for Finds. The photos are Neil Fletcher's.
	Cylindrobasidium laeve (Tear Dropper) Mar 12, 2024. At Burnham Beeches our small group found a stick coated with a pinkish brown quite thick Corticioid which we were unable to name in the field though several of us knew it was familiar. At home Claudi Soler found the telltale spores of this species which are shaped like tear drops, hence its English name. The species is very common on fallen deciduous wood. Jan 1, 2022. On a fallen deciduous stick at Turville Heath Penny noticed this brightly coloured Corticioid patch which looked to her similar to maybe Stereum rameale or S. rugosum. However, noting that it didn't redden when damaged eliminated the latter, then noting that it peeled readily away from its substrate suggested this species rather than the other Stereum. At home the large tear-d Jul 21, 2021. On a stack of dead deciduous branches in Turville Heath Penny noticed this patch of buff to pink-orange corticioid (flat fungus) which was white and peeling around the edges and forming small bracketlike extensions in places. The species gets its common name from its tear-shaped spores and when fresh and moist it is quite supple and peels off the substrate easily - a useful field character. Today's was, however, somewhat baked and neither peeled nor (when examined at home) produced any spores!
	Cystoderma amianthinum (Earthy Powdercap) Nov 7, 2024. At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens our large group found only one or two examples of this normally quite common grassland species though for some inexplicable reason and unlike many grassland species it seems to have been quite scarce this autumn. Similar to a small Lepiota (Dapperling), it has a scurfy coating on the cap and the veil often leaves white flecks on the cap margin with a ring on the stem though this can be ephemeral. These features are nicely clear in the photo and have not yet been washed off by the rain droplets. The photos is Barry Webb's. Mar 28, 2024. In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder was a bit surprised to find this grassland species fruiting in spring. Apart from one late May collection, all our many county records are from August onwards when it is not uncommon. Nov 1, 2023. In Bradenham Churchyard Penny found good numbers of this grassland species showing nicely despite the rainy conditions. It is an attractive species and a regular fruiter here and was very near to a patch of Agaricus impudicus amongst some gravestones (in fact the entry below of that species includes a couple of Cystoderma caps - it seemed a shame to disturb and remove them just for the photo! Oct 26, 2023. In moss under Spruce Penny noticed just a few of these Powdercaps and was hopeful that they might turn out to be the rare Cystoderma jasonis (Pine Powdercap) for which the habitat here was spot on. Not so, however: the diagnostic little brick-shaped conidia were missing from the cap cuticle, thus confirming its ID as the much more common species. Commonly found in grassy areas rather than woodland, this is by no means the first time Penny's been disappointed when coming across it in moss in conifer areas. Sep 30, 2023. At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this attractive grassland species just beginning to appear beside a path. It is similar to the small Lepiota species (Dapperlings) with free white gills and a ring on the stem, but as the cap expands the ring disrupts and tends to leave ragged remnants on the cap edge (seen clearly here),the stem below this remaining scurfy and the cap covered in a fine powder. See the Masterlist for our two other images. Oct 20, 2022. In Lott Wood near Stokenchurch Penny found this cluster of pretty fruitbodies in a moss bank. The species is related to Lepiota, having similar free white gills, and the frilly edge to the cap and stem markings seen here are typical. It is quite common and favours grassy mossy habitats, the cap getting no larger than about 25mm across. Photo 1 is Jackie Newcombe's; photo 2 is Stephen Plummer's. Nov 1, 2020. In the Churchyard at Holmer Green Penny found amazing numbers of this pretty quite common grassland species, having seen it only once recently in other suitable sites. Caps vary in colour from pale yellowish to deep cinnamon as here, are slightly radially pleated in the centre and are characterised by their scurfy dusty surface which leaves white hanging remnants around the rim - seen clearly here though in many cases these had been washed off by rain. The close connection with the genus Lepiota can be seen in the gills which are similarly white, crowded and free of the stem top. The stem is concolorous or darker than the cap, smooth above the white ring zone and below that strewn with white floccs which again may be removed by rain.
	Cystolepiota seminuda (Bearded Dapperling) Oct 9, 2024. Along a grassy path at Beaconsfield Golf Course Jesper Launder noticed this little group. Their small size together white free gills, grainy cap surface and a tendency for the stem to be reddish in the lower half were enought to make the ID, confirmed by checking its tiny spores. Though quite a common species this is a new entry for Finds.

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